This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Carolew

My personal opinion is that the more you can exercise the weak muscle, i.e. ankle, the better off you are. My understanding is the ankle braces limit the muscle activity in the ankle; therefore, the ankle becomes weaker. Obviously, some MSers would need the support of the brace, but if you can get away with using less support, you will maintain and/or increase your strength in the ankle.

Foot drop is not just an ankle problem. You probably are experiencing a weakness in the hamstrings, and the hip flexor muscles also. A good neuro physical therapist can help you sort out all of your muscle imbalance due to the neuro deficits.

Sharon

You got it Sharon.The foot drop implies alot of other pathology in my leg. I will ask for a physiotherapy session as a gift for my birthday... haha. I have that appointment with the rehab tomorrow. Will tell you more later. And, by the way, I agree with you that doing exercises to strenghthen that muscle group is better than using a brace but in case of a long 'ride', it would be nice to have some backup. Carolew

Good luck with your therapy appointment.

Ask about Pilates exercise. I have been taking classes since April and have found the increase in my core body strength has made quite a difference in my balance and my walking gait.

Sharon

I agree with the pilates recommendation. it helps a lot! I taught a pilates class for two months about 4 years ago. I also found it was great for improving balance especially. I also agree that physical therapy is vitally important and good PT of real value.

I got a "foot up" device for improving toe lift and that helps some. I also ordered but have not recieved yet a device that lifts the whole leg called a hip flexion orthosis device found here http://www.footdrop.org/leg_lift_guarantee.htm and a picture of another UK version here http://www.musmate.co.uk/
It is essentially a bungee cord that comes off of a belt under your clothes that gives you an extra boost to your leg and foot. I'll let you know how it works when it comes. The fellow who makes the US one has had MS for years and has used this device for 12 years to walk. He's quite a loquacious fellow! There is also a for prescription version--also for many many more dollars availalbe as well which I can't find the link to. I have had foot drop on the right for several years, and last year an old lesion had developed a black hole so I am assuming that is not going to go away no matter what unless we get regenerative strategies soon, but I agree with a Sharon that one really important thing is to avoid the kinds of approaches that make you stop using the limb in question unless it is already completely paralyzed. But for me even the little foot up thing has helped a lot and I can walk further, longer, and more safely, super important.

Like all things MS it is challenging!
marie

I did go to the rehab and they sold me a foot-up device. Tried it my sandals and it helps. Now I have to have my shoes modified to fit this little brace. It should work. Expensive I thought but, then again, it may save me from falling on my nose and, plastic surgery is much more expensive.