Vivienne47
Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2022
- Messages
- 28
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 08/2022
- Country
- UK
- State
- KE
- City
- Crockham Hill
At risk of stating the obvious, if you have foot drop caused by ALS this can lead to extreme night-time discomfort. This is due to the contraction of the opposing calf muscles, which will pull the foot downwards and inwards and set up all sorts of tensions in the leg above.
I have tried a number of night-time supports, but many of these are bulky and don't tackle the inward twist. The one I find most useful currently is a simple polycarbonate L shaped AFO orthosis, bent over hot steam to a 'resting' angle of about 15 degrees wider than the set position for walking. It has a velcro calf strap. I use a silk scarf to hold my foot in place, which makes it much more manoeuvrable under the covers than anything I have previously tried and is softer on the skin than horrible velcro straps. It's fiddly to put on and I have to use a bit of micropore tape to keep the calf support from twisting, so I'd be interested in anything else that folk have tried.
I have tried a number of night-time supports, but many of these are bulky and don't tackle the inward twist. The one I find most useful currently is a simple polycarbonate L shaped AFO orthosis, bent over hot steam to a 'resting' angle of about 15 degrees wider than the set position for walking. It has a velcro calf strap. I use a silk scarf to hold my foot in place, which makes it much more manoeuvrable under the covers than anything I have previously tried and is softer on the skin than horrible velcro straps. It's fiddly to put on and I have to use a bit of micropore tape to keep the calf support from twisting, so I'd be interested in anything else that folk have tried.