Reading about SCI's and their othosis problems have triggered inside me a huge question. Are Orthosis being used for all the wrong reasons? Is it possible that many SCI's are ready to take a piece or two off of their prescribed orthosis in order to further allow the healing process? I remember first moving into our track home when I was 7 or 8 years old. In our front yard was a small baby tree. A baby tree standing straight up out of the ground tied to a large stick. At the time I knew what the stick was for but never paid it too much attention. The stick was there to of course help the baby tree grow straight so it could one day become a big healthy adult tree able to stand on its own. After the weeks turned to months, and the months turned to years the baby tree eventually outgrew the stick that had helped it to grow healthy for so long needing it no more. Orthosis I think work in the same way. But in the same way orthosis need to be removed at the right time to ensure the wires holding the two together dont damage the tree itself. There are many factors in helping a tree to grow. More than just a stick or water. For if a stick stays attached too long it will damage the tree causing it to grow abnormally or even suphicate. Vice versa if a baby tree has a stick to hold it up but is not continualy watered the stick becomes useless and the tree becomes thinner than the stick holding it up. Orthosis I think should be thought of in the same way. They shouldnt be thought of as a cure to walking, but as a tool to help grow stronger. A piece of equipment used to ensure the future success of the user via proper managment. When the time is right the leg's or lymbs should be given the opportunity and chance to move and grow freely. If someone is having pain when using orthosis mabey they are doing something wrong? Mabey orthosis are containing the bodys ability to move so much that it causes pain. Mabey like trees their should be differant stages of orthosis. Differant size sticks for differant stages of healing. Obviously orthosis to a SCI is more complicated than a stick to a tree. But I do think this should be something researchers should look more into because it seems to me that orthosis have many complications.

I agree on a few of these points - although, some days it feels more like bonsai wire than a little stick in the ground, making the tree conform!

Orthotics and braces should be rechecked by physios, docs, or orthotic specialists every so once in awhile to ensure that the brace still fits, is doing its job, and that everything body-wise is mechanically in order. There's a lot of times when your body will 'outgrow the stick', but, say, if your toes begin to point downwards like me while in bed, you might need a little bit of bonsai wire (in this case, little booties to keep my feet at a corrected angle) to have everything grow into a desired pattern.

I'm really glad you're gathering information about orthotics and the ilk, Johnny, because they can be either awesome devices that really make a difference, or they may end up injuring you in the long run. I personally believe mine are helping me out, but I'm careful to use them correctly and under supervision. ;)

Are you talking about dropfoot when your toes point down in bed? because im pretty sure thats what mine have been doing for the past 3 years lol. I just did some research here and it looks like it is fixable. THANK GOD. I guess if someone has one of the problems they listed surgery is needed. SCI should just need some orthopedic devices and some good physical therapy im guessing.

Hi Jonny

Yes drop foot is where your toes seem to hang down when they are not supported. It is caused by shortening of the achilles tendon, drop foot can be treated either using splints or sometimes surgery to re-lengthen the achilles.

Hope this helps
Jules

Uhm, all I use orthotics for is to keep my feet nice and small. They help when I get a little water retention from my legs being down all day. My feet haven't grown in forever, but I wanted to get a new pair of orthotics, so I had a fitting done about a week ago. They are gonna be clear, and the padding is gonna be pink

they wouldn't give me afo's that were pink with purple fairies on them. Mine don't fit anymore and I can't get another set for a year. God bless medicaid.

Yes, but instead of wearing my plastic AFO braces in bed, I wear little booties that have padding in them. They keep my feet at a 90 degree angle, without giving me pressure sores on the bottom of my heels. They're not the huge ones I've seen, but it does keep my feet a lot less sore and spastic in the morning!

Chickadee,
If you don't mind, what are the ones you have called, or . . . who makes them? I just got a new pair of ski boots for bed and truly HATE them!

QBounce ...

I believe it's these ones:
http://www.allegromedical.com/orthopedics-...ce-p557308.html

I would have to dig out the receipts and look, but I'm pretty sure that this is the set I have ... looks like them, at least.