Anyone used leg braces to keep from falling?

[Blubear]

Okay, so we were having Easter Sunday dinner and my dad starts to tell the story of his most recent fall. It is now his 3rd one in just a few weeks. He was going to pick up the newspaper and tried to move it out from underneath a bench with his foot and once again he fell backwards. He landed flat on his back on the few cement steps in front of the house. (dang lucky he didnt break his back!) Then, since he was having trouble getting up he crawled inside the house on all fours to his den and was able to pull himself up again. (mom was on her walk when this happened or she would have had a stroke had she seen this happen) Anyway, my dad decided that he wasnt to hurt, so then off he goes to the gym! My sister brought up that there are leg braces that he could get that would keep him from falling. I have never heard anyone here talk about them. Has anyone here used leg braces to keep themselves from falling? I am skeptical. At least now he will mention the word wheelchair, but he doesnt think it will be anytime soon....(sigh) .......Hugs, Kari

 

[handinhand]

Oh that is scary..... I think Rose wears leg braces.. I hope your day was good? Take care, Hugs, Linda

 

[GlenBrittle]

Hey Kari,

I would first try to determine why he is falling.

If he is falling because he is dragging his foot, then a brace might help him keep his toes up.
If he has balance problems, again if its a weak ankle, then yes, it might help.

I found that my ankle had no strength, and still had some nasty falls. I figure that the brace did save me from a broken ankle more than once. Getting up after a fall with a brace is twice as hard.

He should see a specialist to determine this. My PT was the one who helped with getting a brace.

 

[Blubear]

Well, he says his legs are weak. I know that he cannot walk right going up hill. His muscles just wont work that way anymore, so he has had to walk backwards in order to walk upwards. He avoids walking up hills now. He also walks with a limp now, and much much more slowly because his legs are effected, and he tires easily. So, it sounds like leg braces will help to keep his legs strong enough, but if they are weak and getting weaker I cant see the braces helping for long. Or is that possible?
Thanks for getting back to me! Hugs, Kari

 

[LauraW]

Mom wears leg braces. They help her stand up...she has a drop foot...and help prevent her knee from giving out. She would not be able to walk much without them.

 

[cukita99]

i wear leg braces on both even thou i cant walk. without them i would not be able to stand.

 

[pepsiman]

Liz had leg braces for almost a year. They enabled her to continue working for quite a while. The drop foot was her problem, with the braces that ceased to be an issue. This is another for the financial disclosures thread, $1500 bill for two pieces of plastic.

 

[halfin]

I have one leg brace, aka AFO, Ankle Foot Orthosis. It goes from my calf to my foot and keeps them at right angles. I don't use it much because it's not too comfortable. However I have been having more almost-falls the past couple of weeks and had my first real fall yesterday. Feels like my right leg is weak and buckling, or that I can't move my feet quickly enough to recover from slight off-balance postures. So maybe the AFO would help, I will give it a try and see. Thanks for suggesting the possibility, I hadn't thought of it.

And yes, it was about $750, covered by my insurance as DME (durable medical equipment).

 

[JennB329]

Dad has leg braces but they don't keep him from falling. The keep his feet perpendicular to his leg for walking.

 

[BarryG]

I got an AFO for my left foot a few weeks ago and it really helps me be more stable and keeps me from tripping over my toes, the cause of both of my falls so far.

Mine cost me $250 of the $1000 bill.

 

[Blubear]

Well, this is all great information! I am really surprised that I hadn't seen it here before. Barry, yours cost less of course because you are in Canada. My dad FINALLY got his VA approval, plus he has medicare so it shouldnt cost much. I am sending a copy of this thread to him now.
Hugs, Hugs and More Hugs to you guys!.....Kari