Wrists and ankles

Hypermobility Forum for people with Marfan, EDS: Bracing: Wrists and ankles
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By friendly lurker on Saturday, October 19, 2002 - 01:30 pm:

Hi people. Two questions:

1. My wrists have been hurting a lot lately, especially in the mornings. I think I bend them when I sleep. Has anyone had success (less pain) from sleeping in wrist braces?

2. I have HAD IT with my ankles inverting and am ready to switch from tape and soft braces to rigid braces. Has anyone used rigid braces like the Active Ankle brace? Can you get shoes on (aside from sneakers)? Does it take long to adjust to wearing them?

Thanks for any advice or personal stories.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By berte3 on Sunday, October 20, 2002 - 01:38 am:

Hello.

I sometimes use a brace while sleeping cause I tend
to luxate my wrist during my sleep.
The only problem is that I can't seem to find "my
favourit sleeping position". But you can't seem to
have both things:-)).
berte.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Sunday, October 20, 2002 - 06:57 am:

The active Ankles are good braces, but I'm seriously thinking of switching to the Breg equivalent because it goes around the ankle and is more of a one piece cuff, whereas the Active's are two uprights which can often misalign. I hate the straps on the Actives too...

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By friendly lurker on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 02:33 pm:

Hi again.

I've tried taping my left wrist at night and it seems to work really well. I just go through a lot of tape and underwrap. Oh well, whatever works!

Myke, I took a careful look at the Active Ankle braces again and I see what you mean. The Breg braces do look better, especially the Ultra Ankle. Is this the one you mean? Breg Ultra Ankle It looks darn secure, which is exactly what I want...

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By friendly lurker on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 03:16 pm:

Oops. Sorry for the double post. As a follow-up to the Breg Ultra Ankle brace: I guess they're marked for sports, but I'm thinking about everyday life. For me, that's a lot of walking in a city. I think I'm leaning toward the Turf model.

Opinions?

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 11:34 pm:

Depends on the shoe.

My Dr. said to me yesterday "I don't like people becoming dependant on orthotics (custom insoles), but you're going to have to get used to it."

My problem is, I roll inward when I'm not wearing my custom insoles and I roll outward when I am. So I've got this wonderful insole+active+CTi2 combo going on. (Bilaterally of course!)... I feel like I'm Sharon in Training!

I don't know/see what the differences are, perhaps you should email them and ask what properties MAKE them different. (And then tell us here :)

Oh - and the whole point I was making is:
Shoes - High tops and/or cross trainers are great. I REALLY like Merill hiking books. (yeah, year round!) They seem to make or break a season of pain.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By jennifer on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 02:57 pm:

hi im jenn

ive got orthotic leg braces on both legs AFOs witch go up to my knees and fit in my shoes ive gotten quite used to them they are hindged so i have some ankle movement ive got them cause both ankles are very unstable and my legf leg turns in at hip and foot also turn in is week and just plain messed up brace hold it in corect possition leg still turns a bit the other foot it held in place aswell by brace and in better postion it also turns in slightly anyone else have AFOs that go up to knees nice to know im not the only one who needs and uses braces sometime i wish i could get rid of them but that wont happen lol

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Sharon on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 07:19 pm:

Jennifer,
I to have an AFO from toes to knee, for foot drop and nerve damage (I actually have 3 kinds, 1 is a back peice only to knee, no ankle movement, 1 is a short not far above ankle one with ankle hinge, and 1 is a full bivalve (2 piece, front and back, that strap together to form like a cast)with no hinges at ankle and from toest ot knee).
I also have braces for knees (6+), ankles, shoulder, wrists, fingers, thumbs, hip (neoprene), and many many bandages and slings etc. I can't use tape as i am way way to allergic to ALL tpaes even hypoallergenic ones and even with tape underwrap.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By friendly lurker on Sunday, October 27, 2002 - 12:30 pm:

Hi, everyone.

Myke: I will contact Breg and find out the difference. It will be very soon, because I need to get a brace for my right ankle at least before 22 November, when I leave the country for some traveling. I will need time to get used to walking with it, too, so I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Jenn and Sharon: Wow. My problems are not as severe as yours, but you have ALL my respect! I'm 32, formerly athletic, and keep getting more braced and taped by the year. I don't know the technical terms here: my lower back sways and my legs rotate inward from the hip. I just look like a klutz with a big bum, but it all contributes to pain and instability in my joints.

I spent years training as a rider, which helped my legs learn to turn inward from the hip (although you can see my ankle is slightly tilted out in this picture, it's just instability). No, I'm not the little girl in this picture anymore ;). I also skied, so I never learned to tuck my butt under. Now the roll-in of the legs makes my ankles invert very easily, and I'm in physical therapy to straighten my back. My sacroiliac joints finally couldn't take any more.

My elbows are fragile and my hips sublux easily. I can tape my wrists at night but will eventually buy braces to avoid the hassle (I do turn my wrists in when I sleep).

Knowing that you are still going gives me mental and emotional strength! Thank you for sharing your stories as I get more and more braced.

Talk to you soon.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Sharon on Sunday, October 27, 2002 - 04:32 pm:

I sure know the feeling friendly lurker. I am 31 and female.
I have the sway back and bum poking out hing to (it is caused by pelvic instability amoungst other things my pelvis is way tilted forward at the top). I have problems with my SIJ's, Hips, Knees (I have torn my left ACL and had it reconstructed twice and it looks like I have done it AGAIn AHHH), Ankles, feet, toes, back, ribs (they pop out a lot now), shoulders, wrists, thumbs, elbows (a little now), hands and fingers, and neck and jaw too (so basically all of me). I have 2 wristt braces, and need a new one that includes my right thumb too, 1 shoulder brace and many many slings, 6 knee braces (2 immobilisers, 2 post op, 2 ACL functional braces), 2 ankle braces plus the 3 AFO's, many many bandages, thermoskin hip support, thermoskin knee support, crutches, walking stick, thumb and finger splints, and think I may need a rib support and a hip/pelvis/sij support (I dislocated my Pelvis and SIJ at 12 and it was never picked up or put back in and i have JRA too in the right SIJ), I also have JRA (juvinille rheumatoid athritis), HLA B27+ (makes you more susceptable to some kinds of athritis among other stuff), Allergies, asthma, eczema, IBS (Irritable Bowel syndrome), HMS/EDS 3 (which ever ??? I don't know and neither does the geneticist, but it is like EDS 3 wiuthout the major skin stuff), RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy), Migraines and way to many things to add to this list.
I feel like a crash test dummy sometimes (and look like one) with all of the braces and injuries I have. I can't tape as this is one of my allergies. and Boy braces are getting soooooooo expensive, i find it hard to pay for them sometimes, so I end up going without until I can afford them (I live in Australia), Like You I was very very active and loved to ski, skate (inline recreational long distance), swim, surf life save, kayak, and much much more, now sometimes it is a fight to get to the mail box. But I know that I will have a good day and NOTHING will get me down for long. I find that like most I go throught the "why me" and "what next" and "OH no not another injury" stuff but that is seldom and short.
Good luck and look after yourself

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By friendly lurker-no-more on Thursday, October 31, 2002 - 06:42 pm:

Hi, people. This is from a friendly, efficient guy at Breg (makers of the Ultra Ankle Braces):

"Thanks for your e-mail regarding the Ultra ankle braces. The difference between the court and turf is rigidity. The turf is more rigid than the court. It is for people who play sports or do activities on surfaces that are soft and forgiving, such as grass. The court is more flexible is made for people who do activities such as basketball or tennis. You would be fine with the Turf, but you may want to look at the XT model. This is an ankle brace is less rigid than the turf, but more rigid than the court. I hope I have answered your questions, if not, do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to answer any more questions of yours."

So I did. I sent him more questions:

"1: does the Turf fit into shoes other than athletic shoes? In other words, can I wear a Turf with leather loafers?

2: does the XT fit into shoes other than athletic shoes?

3: does the Turf have a "tongue" on the bottom as long as the one on the XT?

4: do you know if it's difficult to adjust to wearing either of these braces? Do people run in them?

5: is the XT much taller than the other braces? It appears taller, but without a foot in it, I can't tell. I'm concerned because I'm only 5'2 with shoes on. Was the XT developed out of a customer request for a middle ground between the Turf and Court?"

He replied with the same speed and courtesy as before:

"(1) The Ultra ankle braces (Turf,Court, XT) work best in athletic shoes. They are made for athletics and do not work well in non-athletic shoes such as loafers. [ed. note: AGH! I need them to fit in regular shoes!]
(2) See #1
(3) The Turf does have a "tongue" as long as the XT, all models are the same length.
(4)It shouldn't be difficult to adjust to wearing these braces. You will notice that it will give your ankles some rigidity. Yes, people do run in them.
(5)The XT is the same height as the other models, they are all the same height and width. Yes the XT is a middle brace or what we call a weekend warrior brace.

Thank you for your e-mail and hopefully if this works well for you then it will work for your other hypermobiles. If you want to post my e-mail to them if they have questions, feel free to do so. Let me know if I can be of any more service."

His name is Kyle Coulter and he can be reached at kcoulter@breg.com -- Breg Ultra Ankle Braces

I'm not sure what I'll do. I will probably go ahead and invest in a Turf model, but I will continue my quest for a really solid brace which fits in an ordinary shoe (not talking about pumps, here, just loafers and Doc Martens). But boy, Breg is a super company to deal with. Fast and friendly. Two thumbs up.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Monday, November 04, 2002 - 08:56 pm:

Hey lurker - thanks for the update... I'll probably be researching pricing (in CAD) in the not-too-distant future on the hinges.

Let's us know how it goes/what they're like. Like I've said, the Actives did their job, but I'll bet the Bregs are more comfortable.

Have you grown a name yet? you're hardly a lurker now :)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By friendly lurker on Friday, November 08, 2002 - 08:20 pm:

Hello again, Myke and anyone else.

I have grown a name, Myke, and that name is Deb. I think I ran over the word limit for a lurker a few hundred words back. It's easier, emotionally, to be a lurker than to be an active poster with a name. Something to do with denial, I think. When I was younger and healthier, I always liked to be the center of attention. Now I prefer to pass unnoticed; I don't like what I've become (fragile, overweight, tired). But I feel increasingly comfortable here; everyone seems to understand me.

Back on topic, I've found two possible alternatives to the Breg to get around the problem of not fitting into street shoes. The V-Lock High Performance Ankle Brace is one; the Ankle Stabilizing Orthosis brace is the other. (Who names these things?)

The ASO's immediate problem is that it looks like something drafted by the US National Air and Space Administration. The blueprint of how to lace and strap the thing on is intimidating. Also, I was unable to find a single clear, high-resolution photo of the brace, so what it looks like up close is anyone's guess. But it's made of neoprene and ballistic nylon and probably works well.

The V-Lock's relative simplicity is enormously tempting. It looks comfortable. I'm a bit unclear on how one keeps the straps tight after pulling them up, but I suppose it's obvious with the brace actually in your hands. It's so low-profile and low-hassle that I'll probably try it first (and soon).

Back in late April, I inverted my right ankle while hurrying to physical therapy for my back. My back got stronger and I finished PT, but the ankle went on bothering me. Now it's November and I'm back in PT for a tune-up on my lower back. And it occurred to me that the damn ankle still hurts. Six months later! Back problems come and go, but my ankles are always trouble. ARGH.

limping toward Bethlehem,
--Deb

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Saturday, November 09, 2002 - 05:18 am:

Yo Deb.

I tried the ASO and didn't find it very strong. And rather uncomfortable as I had to make it quite tight to provide me with the support I needed.

The V-Lock doesn't look all that great to me either, but I haven't tried it.
I know I'm in for the cuff 'n hinge design from here on in.

Oh & BTW: Just killed one of my Active's yesterday, the glue holding the straps ain't that great.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Deb on Sunday, November 10, 2002 - 04:41 pm:

Yo Myke.

Thanks for warning me away from the ASO. I'll probably try the V-Lock anyway. The problem is that I don't want to wear sneakers all the time, and the guy at Breg was very clear that the Ultra Ankles don't fit in ordinary street shoes. Going on job interviews in sneakers is somewhat frowned on... so something which gives some support and fits in street shoes might be better than nothing.

That said, the Breg does look like a good investment. I hope they're more solid than the Actives. And I hope that when the Active died, it didn't take your ankle with it.

Do you wear athletic shoes on an everyday basis? I just came in from errands, maybe a mile on foot, for which I wore a pair of New Balance running shoes with gel heel inserts. Boy, are they easier on my feet (and back and so on) than my Docs, which pains me to admit. I'm getting less cool with each passing day. ;)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Deb on Sunday, November 10, 2002 - 04:45 pm:

D'oh! Sorry, Myke. Just looked back and reread your earlier message re: Merrill's and sneakers. Good grief. Engage brain before putting mouth (or fingers) in gear. Sorry 'bout that.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Sunday, November 10, 2002 - 07:58 pm:

S'alright :)

Yeah - for my entire life I've worn sneaks or hiking boots or something in between (I was told x-trainers are the best for me).

So far no one has ever even looked at my shoes when interviewing me... plus here in Eastern Ontario we get a pretty decent winter to justify boots :)

Now, I know females well enough to know that even a mismatched belt can be traumatizing... but I think you're going to have to resign yourself to a nice looking but supportive shoe/boot. These are some of the things we have to give up/deal with when we're faced with this wonderful problem that has drawn us all together. I've been dealing with it since I was 12 so it's been pretty easy for me to (not) adapt. Really - how often do you go to interviews anyways? And surely you can justify to your manager why you wear the foot ware (and accoutrements) that you *need* to... (Go Myke with the Pep talk!! ;)
I have and usually when you say "health reasons" they give you a funny look till you SHOW them why and then you'll never have another problem with it. And I've worked in McDonalds and sales floor jobs and even at high school with dress code...! NEVER been a problem once I explain why. They tended to say something to the effect "Surely you can find a comfortable shoe that fits out uniform" (dress shoes) when you know you can't, but then never really enforce it.

Oh! and by the way - I figure it's worth mentioning that I have (US size) 14 feet! Also, I have custom insoles and I wear custom knee braces.
(And I was just kidding Sharon! I didn't mean to insult you!)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By shazinoz on Monday, November 11, 2002 - 05:41 pm:

Hey myke and Deb,
MykeIf you are talking about me I was not offended by anything at all (I can't even see anything above for anyone to be offended about).
I too wear sneakers/boots or similar all the time, except the occasional wedding or such then i wear flat shoes and then usually only to enter and exit venue (I tend to walk about in just my pantyhose (and what ever braces I really need, I will leave all but the totally necessary ones off).
I am not a fashion consious female at all and think the fashions at present are YUCKO all frilly and prissy :).
I am a casual girl (well 31 year old :) )

I also am a country born and raised Australian and have the sense of humor and relaxed attitude of one. And I have a ladies size 10 foot (I think US and OZ sizes are the same).
I a lucky I only have the CTi and ankle AFO things on one leg so far.
Like you I wear custom orthotics in my shoes and this makes any of those fancy shoes usless anyway even if I did like them and Heels are totally out of the question (pretty much any heel on any shoe) and my balance is shot and me legs so unstable (I would kill my self in them :) ).

An employer cannot refuse to employ you because of your footwear that is discrimination especially as you wear them for medical reasons, you can go to the equal opportunity board if this is happening as this is so not on but make sure you tell them why you are wearing them if asked or even hinted at without going into way to much detail, like myke said "I wear them for medical reasons", or "I wear orthotics and I need these as they support my feet/ankles".

Hope this helps and us Crash test dummies have to stick together (or if you prefer by partners designation Defecto's :) ). I have also had Robocop, exoskeleton girl, and more :) Oh the joys of hypermobility

aka Sharon

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Monday, November 11, 2002 - 06:44 pm:

see - being a male geek makes it much easier to get away almost any apparel. Nortel dress code = "clothing" - how easy is that? (course... when you don't work there anymore... ):

Unfortunatly, if you ARE in the circumstance at an interview where they have noticed your sneaks/boots, add you want/need to make a point of it, I find it akin to pulling a miniority (eg: race or gender) card... Inherently there's nothing wrong with it, but it feels like a ploy to me when I do it. ("If you don't hire me, I'll complain about discrimination...")

I feature The Exoskeleton. (feet, anks, knees... soon: hips & SI, maybe shoulder & fingers) Sadly, now it's in my jaw too and I'm presently debating (negotiating?) with my dentist as to a course of treatment. ( -> realign the teeth, or just hold the jaw in a comfortable place?)

$6000CAD? Hmm, that IS alot of pain killers...

Sharon - don't you think those CTi2's are GREAT tho? Other than a bit of skin irritation I can't make a single complaint about them.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Shazinoz on Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - 03:43 pm:

I too love the CTI2, I have a townsend rebel to and it is no were near as good (I had to wear it after my last reco as my leg changed shape with quad loss and my CTI wouldn't fit (but YAY it fits again)). I am about to get a new set of straps and some extension stops and some minor repairs done (one of the small round rubber pads has fallen off and I can't find it :). put on it and I already have flexion stops and ACL cable system on it. I have had my CTI@ for about 6 +years so it is time for a refurbishment and I'll do this while I have the extension stops put on .
I too have Jaw problems Mke, mine clicks/clunks and slips and locks Open (Embarrasing) and I have to wait for the muscle spasms to go down before it can be relocated sometimes (I have valium for this) but I am PETRIFIED of dentists and always have been so there is no way i would go that route, I find now that it is probably because me and my siblings wiht this HMS or what ever don't seem to get much effect from local anasthetic or it wears off to fast, or it just plain doesn't work properly (I had to have stitches in my face after a fall and the specialist they called into the ER had to put like about 5 lots of local in me just to sew up this little tear with about 15 tiny stitches, and took about 10 min's max even with having to keep putting in more and more local. My sister has the same and so does my brother. This makes me wonder if maybe it is EDS# and Not HMS that we have ??

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Deb on Monday, November 18, 2002 - 05:09 am:

Hello, my crash test friends!

I've ordered the XT from Breg. It's between the Court and Turf models in terms of rigidity. The guy from Breg said it's the "weekend warrior" model, which makes me laugh. It doesn't look as cool as the Turf, but it seemed like a good place for me to start. It should be here mid-week, but I'm still bringing a roll of tape with me when I go out of town on Friday. Just in case.

And now I'm off to wash my face and go to the gym to use the Stairmaster backward. Easier on the back, says my physical therapist, and dropping some weight wouldn't hurt either. But good grief, thirty minutes on a Stairmaster is boring no matter which way you're facing.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Monday, November 18, 2002 - 06:22 pm:

add laptop / book / music ?

looking forward to a full review ;)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 03:10 pm:

Deb - you back yet? What'd you think? (Other than it not fitting your shoes!)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By friendly lurker on Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 08:57 pm:

Ack! Life got busy. Here's the quick-and-dirty version: during the checkout process at Breg, I failed to click one final okay button and the transaction didn't go through.

I watched my step in Italy. Some old roads around the Colosseum have disintegrated into ankle-breaker territory over the years; walking around there was like crossing a stream from rock to rock. No injuries.

I've been slacking during the holidays, but I'll be back in the gym and walking around the city soon enough. I'll report on the Breg I don't have yet when I've been wearing it a bit.

Happy New Year. :)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Paul Jordan on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 08:38 pm:

I've worked with braces and splints for almost 25 years now. Custom braces made over casts, solid, hinged, single upright SMO style to double uprights with and w/o carbon fiber reinforcements. Customizable braces/splints of all sizes and shapes.
There is one [& only one] company that I've come across that sells a terrific ankle splint. They are inexpensive. The first time trying one is a bit frustating with the Velcro but after a day or so it is just like putting on a sock. The material is very thin, not bulky like neoprene (not hot like neoprene) & can be washed.
These folks also make a hand and/or wrist splint using the same materials.
Check out their Web Site at www.bioskin.com and take a look at the TriLok ankle system that permits ankle motion and only stops the movement that is unwanted.
DocJ

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 05:03 pm:

I some how don't think that's going to do the same job as a rigid brace with uprights... I assume you're not disagreeing with that?

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Margareth on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 04:03 am:

Hi Shazinoz,

About the local anaesthetics. Some docs say not responding (well) to local anaesthetics is only seen in EDS, others think it is also a part of HMS. I don't know what is the 'official' opinion on this one, but I do know this: I am officially HMS but I didn't respond at all to the local anaesthetic I have been given once. (It might as well have been plain water they injected me with) This incident didn't get any of my docs jumping to a new diagnosis of EDS. It was just added to my file. Bottomline: If your skin is not terribly stretchy nobody can tell if you have EDS or HMS and nobody will. They might give you a diagnosis to work with but that's all.
I even heard a case of someone who during her pregnancy (which tends to loosen your connective tissue) TEMPORARILY became resistant to local anaesthetics. After the baby was born the problem went away again and she responded to the shots like before.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Anne on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 12:01 pm:

I've been watching this topic for a while and I ordered the Breg Ultra Ankle Court model and have been wearing it since November. It is comfortable and was very easy to get used to. I only wear sneakers and I am not sure if it could fit into other shoes without recking them. I'm only in high school, though, so i don't have much need for nicer shoes. It has kept my ankle from giving out and has saved me from a lot of pain. If you're able to wear sneakers often enough, I would recomend it.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 06:57 pm:

Glad to hear - But I also have custom insoles, and I've been wondering if there's some sort of combo... Well I found two:

http://www.allsportdynamics.com/custom.htm

- and -

http://www.palhealthsystems.com/anklesystems.htm

I'm contemplating talking to the insurance company about 'em. I just got new insoles, but I need new ankle braces - my Active Ankles have bit the dust... I never liked them much - but they worked well. I'd probably get stops installed this way too (I hyperextend my knees, so if I can be forced to stop that from the ankles - I'll improve my leg muscles to do it and won't need such limiting ROM lock in my knee braces.)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Deb the friendly lurker on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 11:40 am:

Hi again.

Myke, I think your ankles might be even worse than mine, because the TriLok looks like something I'd be willing to try. Right now, I'm waiting on a Breg Ankle Brace Lock. If it doesn't work for me, I'll order the TriLok.

Here's why: athletic tape gives me pretty good protection against inversion, but I'm allergic to it. My PT doesn't want me to wear rigid braces. I don't want to break an ankle. The best I can do right now is check out braces similar to a good tape job.

The important part of a tape job for me is the strapping in the heel. If my heel isn't locked into place, my ankle can invert.

A few months ago, I had an unpleasant experience with a cheap Active Ankle-style brace: it didn't fit around my calf. If I'd gotten the next larger size, it would have been halfway to my knee. I have short, muscular legs, and if I decide to go with a Breg Ultra Ankle brace in the future, I'm calling the company with measurements first.

In the meanwhile, I'm just being careful. I'm trying to stay off my feet anyway because of a stress fracture in my right foot.

Hope you're well. :)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 12:33 pm:

I'm alive :)

Wearing the UltraAnkle Turfs now. (They're great inside my Merrills) And my Breg X2K's. The X2K's aren't as good as the CTi2's, but in the summer heat - they're much more enjoyable.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Deb on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 05:57 pm:

Hey.

How are the UltraAnkles?

I'm keeping rigid braces in the back of my mind. I don't understand how orthotics can counteract the sliding of the bones inside my ankles, but the PT I'm working with is really well-respected, so I'll give it some time.

And when I picked up my prescription running shoes (I'm wearing Brooks Dyads now), I saw some super comfy-looking Merrills on the wall -- shoes and low boots -- and thought of you. Once I get the orthotic situation down, I'm going back for a pair!

best to you,
--D

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 01:38 pm:

The Ultra's are MUCH better than the Actives. They're 10X more comfortable and the straps don't come undone every hour. I forget I'm wearing 'em.

Merrill's are similar to Saloman's, and both are very good. I wear them exclusively. Yes ladies, I own and wear *ONE* pair of shoes. I know it's a difficult concept ;)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Deb on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 09:53 pm:

It's a difficult concept, but I'm on my way. I own so many shoes I can't wear now. I go back and forth between my Docs and my Brooks.

[commence personal whining]
The Breg arrived on time, but it's too big, so back it goes. I'm back to the PT who made my orthotics next Monday, and I'm going to talk to her about a hinged brace for my right ankle, if not both.

The Brooks trainers help to correct my gait, but the correction has caused a stress fracture (or broken an existing stress fracture) in my right foot. I've hardly left my apartment in weeks because it hurts to walk.
[end personal whining]

So, yeah. I'll get back to this discussion.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Myke on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 09:52 pm:

Sounds thrilling. I do my body wonderful favours by staying overweight and working myself till exhaustion, or being very sedentary... Brilliant eh?

BTW: If you wanna talk off this board, you can either email me with my nickname at mWare.ca...

Or you can join my IRC server irc://irc.mWare.ca/ and find me there. Anything similar to 'Myke' is probably me :)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By cocoa on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 10:26 am:

All:
Not sure how often anyone reads this board!! I am looking into asking my doctor for an AFO fitting. My Dr. has learned more about HMS and SIJD from me. Because of my Si joint problem, I have weeknes at times in my right leg. I also have pain in my "hip" areas when i am over doing it! I need some advise on how to go about bringing this up to my Dr. the main reason I want a AFO is because my ankle rolls in and on top of the weakness. I start to stuble or have pain at times and the AFO will lock my ankle in place which helps to even out the short/floppy side. What do you think?
Cocoa


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