By Sharon on Friday, July 20, 2001 - 10:05 pm:

Just wondering if anyone knows of good stong immobilising ankle braces, i have the lace up type and the neoprene type but these just aren't ggod enough, about 7 weeks ago i dislocated my left foot and ankle and stretched or tore the ligaments further was in a walking brace for 4 weeks and 2 weeks after comning out of it i slipped and fell on about 20cm (6 inches) landing flat of my feet and have undone what healing i did in the walking brace (is like a strap on cast). WHat i really need is something to stop this happening as it is just so bad now i can hardly walk.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Sharon

By Myke on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 05:43 am:

While not quite immobililizing, I use ActiveAnkle Trainer's. Seen here: http://www.activeankle.com/product_order.htm

They're very effective, I haven't really hurt my ankle since wearing, it's just that they're difficult to hide. I've been looking for a soft alternative.. but not a laceup.

Sometimes, I find just sleeping at night is hell on my ankles, often because they dangle off the end of the bed (I'm 6'2" in a double bed) - I've been considereing the immobilization 'thang...

I think i hurt my ankle's the worst when I was walking in a school one day, and someone came and checked me acoss the hall at full speed - got my Active's that week. I also have iSports CTi2's for my knees - I love them - I've damaged my hamstrings an medial menuscii due to hyperextension (something like -18 degrees on my left side) - Wicked poping sound effects all the time now.

Myke

By Sharon on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 10:34 pm:

Hi Myke,
I did finally get my immobilisation brace for my ankle, my orthotist made me a bivalve AFO which goes from my knee to my toes, this is rigid and has stopped all the pains, better yet it fits in a real shoe, is obvious in shorts or a dress etc but in long pants is pretty much invisible, i wear a long sock under it and it velcro's on, even better is you could also use it as a night splint. This was custom made by the orthotist for me from a cast.
Hope this helps you
Sharon

By Myke on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 09:31 pm:

But you pretty much have to crutch it walking around eh? Other catch is - I'm already wearing knee hardware almost fulltime, thus the active's are a decent combo... but in bed, cripes, who knew that the sheer mass of my body would cause so much pain due to lateral pressure?! Firm mattresses really help.

Thanks for the info, I'm not going for immobilisation yet, I'd rather some sort of KAFO that's similar to the Donjoy or iSports knee braces, they're very comfortable. most specifically, if it was similar to the frame of a fractured ankle walking boot, but was just the frame on the skin, like the knee hardware... then I'd be really happy. I really like the open design type support, neoprene/*fabric sleeves - i detest.

Course - I'm only 20 now and my hips are going too... are they next? I refuse drugs for anything, therefore support & surgury are the only recourses I'd ever take... and I'm hearing more negatives about surgury anyways. (Is there a section on here for "social impact of treatment - 'people with exoskeletons'"? ;)

Somedays, I just hate genetics.

Mike.Geiger.ca

By Sharon on Thursday, August 30, 2001 - 12:21 am:

hey myke,
wish there was a page for "People with exosceletons" as i seem to have so much external hardware that i look like a crash test dummy, i have AFO x2, Knee braces x2, thermoskin hip support, 3 other post-op knee braces (left knee ACL has been reconstructed twice),Shouler brace x 2, numerous sling (Had my shoulder reconstructed 2 days ago), wrist brace, numerous finger and thumb splints, etc.
I am 30 myke and feel like i am literally falling apart.
Somedays, I trully hate genetics too
to make things worse I also have a chronic pain nerve condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, which makes things even wose in the pain department.

Bye the way I can't use crutches because of shoulders and wrists etc
Sharon

By Mickey on Thursday, August 30, 2001 - 07:56 pm:

Sharon!!
Hi, how did the surgery go? Please let me or one of the others know, everyone is desperate for some information. I really hope that this is going to help, please contact me so I know that your alright. Take care,
Mickey

By Sharon on Sunday, September 02, 2001 - 12:29 am:

Hi Mickey,
Surgery went OK, am in quite a bit of pain what with the RSD etc, had the surgery on Tuesday, was discharged from hospital the following day, RSD has flared up a bit.
Surgery itself wasn't as bad as 1st thought. Only had shoulder reco etc done through arthroscopy and then capsular shrinkage. Here is hoping it fixes the instability problem!. See the surgeon again on Wednesday, to get stitches out etc and start more exercises etc.
Doctor doesn't understand my body but then hey what is new about that LOL. He tried to use ice more than once and i kept yelling at them not to. I am also worried about restretching the shrinkage and am only in a sling etc.
Anyway i am rambling on a bit LOL.
Email me Mickey OK

By Myke on Monday, September 03, 2001 - 06:28 pm:

Sharon - wrt to Genetics... I'm afraid I'm going to become just like you. (Don't take it at the socialbility level - I'm not being insulting) I'm only twenty and my knees, ankles are shot, I frequently dislocate my hips & shoulders, my wrists and fingers frequently hurt... (but that's more likely tied to my computer studies) add to that, my mother has a horrible spine and I do too... so... I worry that i will simply become an exoskeleton. (Or just F**K it and cover it all with TENS :)

Was looking at bostonbrace.com the other day, the SSI (should sublextion inhibitor)... I wonder if it's useful?

I'm on ICQ:20180010,.... I'm still new to HMS, but experienced with the effects. Would like to hear other's input.

By Sharon on Monday, September 03, 2001 - 08:13 pm:

i have a highland shoulder sling brace from orthomerica, it did help a bit, but i got my shoulder reconstructed on Tuesday last week. it was done arthroscopically and then a thermal capsular shrinkage was done at the same time, here is hoping it works. I am immobilised at present and will be for about 4+ weeks.
Yes I am exoskeleton Girl LOL.