I am training with braces now, but don't know if I should go through the headache of tring to get approval for them or if I should focus my attention on bigger things.

I am a new paraplegic, and I wanted to use them for exercise and places that I can't access by wheelchair. I'm going on a cruise in May and want to be able to go everywhere on the ship and off that I want.

Anyone that has experience with these let me know, thanks

Hello KT. Posted earlier about my SPL KAFO that I use on my right leg. The brace for me has definitely been a worthy purchase. Helps me fight bone density loss and makes life a little easier when I'm visiting somewhere that doesn't require covering a great distance (i.e., someone's home, the theatre, bank, ...). I use the brace in conjunction with forearm crutches, or if my wife is nearby just a cane.

Now if I know that I have to go somewhere that does require covering a great distance, then I just take the wheelchair (i.e., zoo, grocery store, shopping in general).

As our injury levels differ, and I don't know the extent to which you can ambulate with braces, I'd say you'll probably need your wheelchair for the cruise, but I could be wrong!

Best wishes and keep on exercising!

I wear a KAFO on my right leg, and wouldn't do without it. I really didn't feel quite that way about it at first...I rarely put it on, except for PT...but now I find it's my bud.

I agree that you should take a w/c along on the cruise...you may not even need it...but wouldn't you hate to find out that you do, and be out in the middle of an ocean? Besides, it's probably a good idea to let your leg(s) 'rest' from the brace for at least a few hours a day.



That's a good point...I'd never thought about that aspect of it before.

I have these braces too, and they're really nice to have. I'm only use mine when i'm at physical therapy for now. My injury was t6 "complete", but i can walk with the braces on; in the parallel bars (something the docs told me i'd never be able to do). It is really excelent exercise, its great for your arms, back, abs, hips, ect. depending on your ability to control your muscles. My goal right now is to be able to use the braces with a walker. It would be so helpful when i go to other peoples houses, and such, when you have to worry about a door being to small for your wheelchair. If your therapist thinks you would benifit i would definalty get them and give them a try! It is a lot of work, but in my opinon, totally worth it!!!

That's really great to hear Nichole! I don't think I've welcomed you to the forum yet, so here we go: Glad to see you stopped on by! Hope you find what you're looking for. Cheers!

Thanks! I love proving the doctors wrong lol! Its nice to meet you, and thanks for the welcome. I love this site! I don't know anyone else in a chair so its really helpful.

I am planning on getting leg braces also. The doctor who was treating me as an inpatient has decided my core needs to be stronger before she will write the prescription. I am in the process of getting my family doctor to write the prescription because I feel I am plenty strong enough already and don't want to waste any of my scant two month block of outpatient therapy waiting for someone else to decide when I am strong enough and then wasting time having them made. Knowing that Nichole as a T6 complete is using them gives me that much more determination to get them.

I think that the leg braces will actually help to strengthen your core! I know they did for me. I agree that you would be the one who knows if you're ready of not! My physical therapist is the one who recomended that i get them, and let me tell you i was terrified! I was so nervous because all the doctors i'd seen told me i would not get any return, but she believed in me as well as my parents, and i'm so thankful that they did! They are a LOT of work at first! You'll probably need quite a bit of help to start but i think its totally worth it. Don't ever let a doctor tell you that you can't do something, because they have no idea!!! Every injury is different. I wish you all the luck!!

I would like to say the long laingth leg braces are great! They will not only help support you bones ankels and knee joints, they will provide you with the support for weight bareing so that you can maintain healthy strong bones and joints. My daughter had bilaterral full length leg braces when she was youn, they helped enormously with standing for weight bearing. She began having issues with her feet being sore while she stood so we stoped using them, well that was a big mistake! Now she is unable to weight bear at all her legs have become weak and her joint will no longer support her weight. So yes if you can get them please do! But stay with them, dont stop using them and do a lot of weight bearing as well. Good luck!

So did you get your leg braces??

No i still working in pt with them, there expensive so pt said i had to get at least two months of good use in there pair before she would write the letter so i could get my own. I fell recently which has put everything back on hold. I will let everyone know how they work out one I get them for sure.
L

OMG, i'm glad you're doing okay now. Good luck on your braces! Sorry about your set-back.

Hello too!
I used to wear the bilateral KAFO. It lasted for about a year. Soon when my doctors felt that my quads were strong, we modified it into an AFO. I still wear the braces and am able to ambulate with forearm crutches.

just thought that it may also be one of your targets nichole... just be risk free and with the advise of the doctors.

Yeah, that actually is one of my goals, soon after i master a walker hopefully! I've tried the arm crutches a few times, but my balance is still a little shakey. I'm actually supposed to go and see about some shorter braces too in a few weeks (have to get all the insurance crap together). As far as being risk-free, i'm not LOL! I've fallen many times, but i just get up and start over again. I know there's going to be lost of little falls along the way, but it'll be worth it. I am lucky though because most of the times i've started to fall my dad has caught me before i hit the ground thank God

Yes, we become quite adept at falling don't we? I can fall with a full cup of coffee in my hand and still not spill a drop......I am 'faller extraordinaire'.

LOL
everyone wants me to quit smoking, I tell them If I can master not falling anymore I will quit smoking. I will die from a fall before I die from cigerettes LOL

I am getting use to telling everyone I fall alot. I fall everywhere, bathrooms, movie thetres, my stairs, living room, bathroom, and bedroom. I am starting to get use to having bruises all over, not to mention picking by butt up off the floor.LOL

With kof braces I can with cructhes take a couple steps,But Iam not giveing up.The underarm cructhes work good with me

I too am working on getting one for my right leg my insurance won't pay for it right now so i am to come up with 1,000 dollars i am planning on getting it with in the month I am so looking forward to getting it for my doctor that prescribed it thinks maybe with this i will be able to walk without my fore arm crutches, I SURE HOPE SO... Or even just a cane would be great..... Best of luck to us allllllllllllllllllllllllll.................










Jodie Lynn

you will love it.stand up it takes alot of upper body strenght but it wel worth it.

It's so great to hear about everyone else who's willing to go for it! I hope you all have great luck with this, just don't give up, because it will hurt your arms for a while. Even if you can only get up for a minute, it's a great start! Just to update everyone i'm using the walker really well now, so i'm getting brave enough for the crutches now i think Good luck everyone!!

thank you very keep up your good work with the walker,Soon underarm cructhes wil be your legs,or forarm withc either one you prefer,It is brutal pace to move thse dead legs but Iam lucky them most paarapliegs.I cna stand and take ac cuople steps,My goal is to use a staionary bike with help,but it can be done to walk again

I am using KAFO braces, and I have no problem walking with walker...Could anyone tell me...how long it will cca take to beef up knees? and what ist best exercise to strength up knees?