My son, who has severe foot drop in both feet due to a catastrophic case of transverse myelitis, has been using the SAFO for many years. The SAFO is a Silicone AFO. It has helped him avoid repeated foot infections from the hard plastic type of AFO, and has helped to keep his achilles tendon from shrinking. They are not covered by most insurance, and are expensive, but he has had wonderful success with them for 15 years.
Thank you for your video. I had a stroke 3 years ago. Left rehab hospital with a custom AFO. I weaned myself off it 2 years ago. I've just gotten a carbon AFO. It is uncomfortable. Thank goodness my foot drop is minor and I'm not forced to wear anything.
I am a TBI survivor, at age 15 (I am now 65) and have left foot drop and permanent left arm bicep contraction. I have used multiple AFOs. These devices worked well for me to prevent the foot drop, but they also resulted in noticeable atrophy of my calf, and very uncomfortable. I got a WalkAide about 15 years ago and it has been a total game changer for me. For me, it is great! I can walk without tripping, AND my shoe doesn't wear out in less than 6 months!! I wish the WalkAide II was available in the USA.
Hi, I was impacted with GBS 8 years ago & still having foot drop in my left leg. I am not sure what is this "WalkAide" is, could you please share the relevant link here to explore more on that? BTW I am an Indian & live in India
Had a walkaide roughly 10 to 12 years ago. It worked well for about 3 years and then didn't function properly. Insurance change, no longer pay for it. I did not have the cash to repair. It's sitting in a box, but it worked beautifully. my muscles were strengthening against three foot drop even without the walkaide. Could not use all day. Would get contact dermatitis from electrode pads & have to stop using for 3 weeks for that to fully heal.
Foot drop was the first MS symptom that sent me to my doctor before I was diagnosed. I did have other symptoms before foot drop but I explained them away as just a part of getting older and having 3 kids. I got bilateral ankle/foot orthosis 3 years after diagnosis. Unfortunately they were so heavy and cumbersome I couldn’t use them. They were expensive, $1300 each and a waste of money. My MS progressed quickly and my legs have been the most affected.
I start notice my weakness on my foot. I went A neurologist. Let me do a different test. Cities can on my head. Am I right for my Bram I right on all my spine? You make me a test on the ner Nerves Every time that I went to To the appointment. He find me something elyes like you need a city scan on your need to go to a land you never tell me what's wrong with my feet. I went to a Neuro surgery So The MI. R. From my back. He told me.I need a surgery on my Disk 4 and 5 and he make the surgery. I'm starting to move my Fingers A little bit. my back. But I think I need some therapy Can you show me some exercise
Great video. Thanks for the review of different devices. I got diagnosed this year and with the diagnosis, realized that me occasionally tripping on flat surfaces sincle highschool wasnt just a small thing that made me "quirky". Always described myself as an athletic clutz.
I have MS tried the AFO, too rigid!! Tried the bioness unit loved it totally unaffordable!! Now use the little one you showed around my ankle! I am on my like third one and use my own velcro straps they hold better but it is the best and most affordable!!
2:31 for clarity 'left side' is RIGHT side of OUR SCREEN. Very interesting video. this video makes me wonder if MS patients sometimes ALSO have O.A. related peripheral neuropathy. I question whether I have both.. I am 58 , and in my unprofessional way on saw minor constriction . I understand that the nerve is about 9mm avg and the tube starts of at about 14mm avg but can get crowded due to bone formation. Dr Beaber, your excellent precision and 'let's have some fun' attitude makes you very helpful. Possibly more physio therapy orientation occasionally in videos would be wonderful. Time for you to get the track pants out and get physical :) In my case I'm still able to walk a couple of subway stops and play the saxophone professionally (for now). I do short bit on an eliptical trainer and should start using my stretchy orange theraband to limber up my thighs and calves before I hobble to the kitchen in the mornings .
I have left foot drop from a stroke. I have been using the bioness L300 for about 3 years. It really works well for me and I love the freedom it provides. However, when I am fatigued or highly stressed my muscles just stop responding to the electrical stimulation. I am looking for something besides the hard plastic to use at these times. Thanks for the informative video.
The walk aide works well and works better for me than the bioness model I tried. It has come down from the original price because insurance generally does not cover it. Future video suggestions are BTK inhibitors and the differences of the CD 20, 19, and 3 meds recently approved or researched, and the remyelination drugs that don’t seem to make it very far. Thanks
Tried the bioness at the VA. Decided against it. I have MS with right-sided weakness, and my foot drop can vary wildly from day to day, even intra-day. It's incredibly frustrating.
I have an thick plastic afo for my left foot as there's weakness in it that means I can't lift against gravity when walking. But when sitting I can pull my foot up, after I push it down a few times when I try to pull up eventually my brain sends the right signal. I find it quite amusing that my brain/foot just don't communicate right any more.
Hi. Doctor, please make a video on Brown Sequard Syndrome (T4). And please take about the inability to maintain knee function on the right leg, because in my situation my knee hyperextends, because of this I can't work independently and if I can recover. Also the foot drop, my right foot (toes) also wants to coil inward like clinching a fist and because of this, my foot catches the floor even with a Hard plastic ankle foot orthosis. And sensation.
I received accupunture with electricity that greatly strengthened my legs and the strength lasted for a week so I only needed accupture once a week. But when I moved and tried accupture in 4 other clinics my strength after the sessions lasted less than 1 hour. ➡➡➡➡➡➡ So, has anyone else tried accupunture and did it make you strong for a week ❓❓
@@madamlaughsalot5759 I've moved and tried acupuncture from 3 different clinics but after less than 1 hour this had no positive effect on me. And there are remedies you can try at home: I now have my own red light head cap and a square red light lamp that I either put the lamp on my knees or balance on my head whle laying down. The lamp on my head allows me to riggle my toes. And the cap doesnt feel as powerful as the lamp. Also got a Himalayan Salt lamp that is at least 10 inches (25cm) long. If I put the lamp under each knee touching my skin for 30 to 60 minutes then each leg feels strong. And this is not the way Himalayan Salt lamps are promoted with an electrical light bulb.
Been using FES Devices for over 10 years and have tested nearly all that are out there. I’ve understood that approximately 50% work for the patients testing them. The others don’t respond or can’t deal with the electrical currents. The devices meanwhile range from simple 2 channel stimulation of the perineum nerves under the knees to multiple channels that stimulate quadriceps and ishiocrural muscles creating a better physiological movement. Key challenge for FES is the impulse trigger. Some patients can’t steer their legs sufficiently to make devices react correctly and and to have to rely on foot sensors. Next stop after FES would be Exoskeleton for those with even less lower limb capabilities. There’s arguably a fitting solution for everyone nowadays.
AFOs also don't allow you to wear shoes you want to wear.Which for me was the reason I got a Walkaide. Foot drop is common in brain tumors as well as strokes and traumatic brain injury. Walkaide I could never get covered nor the Bioness L300.which is bs. My latest attempt resulted in my insurance saying that because of my diagnosis of a brain tumor it wasn't proven through clinical trials to be beneficial. Keep in mind I have been using a Walkaide since 2009.
I have this afo. My question is because it is so rigid how does one develop neuroplasticity, in other words I feel my dorsiflexion has improved where I can feel my toes are trying to connect with my walk. I have spastic ankle but do ankle flexion exercises assisted where my feet are flat on floor & I knee bend to gain Nose over toes and feet. See improvement as my foot was quite supinated prior to this . I can swing my involved leg through when I walk. I have left side hemiplegia and 9 years post stroke. Is there a progression AFO TO HELP GET TO THE STAGE WHERE IT ALL COMES TOGETHER?
Years ago when I was still walking, I was fitted with one of these devices. The set up configurations take some time but I remember it did kick my feet upwards but it did not help the hips, which was causing me to swing my legs up stairs for example. Had I not progressed, it would have been more useful but like I said I needed more support from my hips
My footdrop is a result of MS. My right hamstring is in poor condition so bending of the knee to walk normally is a challenge. I was wondering if there is a non-electrical stimulant device that you are aware of for this that is as simple as some shown from Amazon. I'd like to try something before buying the Bioness device.
Any TENS unit you can buy on the internet is a waste of your money because they don't have enough power (only a 9volt battery) to make the muscle to contract. When I had a nerve tests done by a neurologist the the unit was plugged into the wall (at least 125ac). It caused strong contractions when applied below where the nerve was damaged. I took 600 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid for 45 days and the nerve healed. My foot drop was caused by sudden weight loss. I lost 20% of my body weight in 6 days from maltreatment in a hospital full of stupid inept doctors and nurses! You will lose weight rapidly when you're fed baby food and not allowed to drink fluids.
Would a secice help with lifting my foot when trying to get up a step ? Sometimes its ss if my foot is glued to the floor only happens when im in a hurry to get somewhere
There is actually a profession called an Orthotist that specializes in brace fitting and selection. There are many facets to foot drop that go way beyond the single plan of motion mentioned here. Every weakness leads to a compensation that then overloads other muscle structures. This in turn thwarts endurance and limits the patients proper function! Please do not consider this video all inclusive if you are dealing with a foot drop. Great 30,000 foot view though!
You may like this video on spasticity: ruclips.net/video/JX7e9qmINOw/видео.html Botox injections are an option. If severe, contractures can become an orthopaedic problem.
Best solution- 3 ft bungee cord. Hook top to belt, Hook bottom to front shoe lace. Adjust length with knot(s). Color to match your eyes. Price $3. Route down pant leg.
My son, who has severe foot drop in both feet due to a catastrophic case of transverse myelitis, has been using the SAFO for many years. The SAFO is a Silicone AFO. It has helped him avoid repeated foot infections from the hard plastic type of AFO, and has helped to keep his achilles tendon from shrinking. They are not covered by most insurance, and are expensive, but he has had wonderful success with them for 15 years.
Thanks for sharing Elizabeth.
I have transverse myelitis with brown sequard syndrome (22year old) looking for something to help as I have terrible foot drop!!
Same with me, i dianosed with transverse myleatis when i am 17 yrs old..now i am 56 but having foot drop too
@@raeleneburke3794me too
Thank you for your video. I had a stroke 3 years ago. Left rehab hospital with a custom AFO. I weaned myself off it 2 years ago. I've just gotten a carbon AFO. It is uncomfortable. Thank goodness my foot drop is minor and I'm not forced to wear anything.
I am a TBI survivor, at age 15 (I am now 65) and have left foot drop and permanent left arm bicep contraction. I have used multiple AFOs. These devices worked well for me to prevent the foot drop, but they also resulted in noticeable atrophy of my calf, and very uncomfortable. I got a WalkAide about 15 years ago and it has been a total game changer for me. For me, it is great! I can walk without tripping, AND my shoe doesn't wear out in less than 6 months!! I wish the WalkAide II was available in the USA.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi, I was impacted with GBS 8 years ago & still having foot drop in my left leg. I am not sure what is this "WalkAide" is, could you please share the relevant link here to explore more on that? BTW I am an Indian & live in India
Had a walkaide roughly 10 to 12 years ago. It worked well for about 3 years and then didn't function properly. Insurance change, no longer pay for it. I did not have the cash to repair. It's sitting in a box, but it worked beautifully. my muscles were strengthening against three foot drop even without the walkaide. Could not use all day. Would get contact dermatitis from electrode pads & have to stop using for 3 weeks for that to fully heal.
Foot drop was the first MS symptom that sent me to my doctor before I was diagnosed. I did have other symptoms before foot drop but I explained them away as just a part of getting older and having 3 kids. I got bilateral ankle/foot orthosis 3 years after diagnosis. Unfortunately they were so heavy and cumbersome I couldn’t use them. They were expensive, $1300 each and a waste of money. My MS progressed quickly and my legs have been the most affected.
I start notice my weakness on my foot. I went A neurologist.
Let me do a different test. Cities can on my head. Am I right for my Bram I right on all my spine? You make me a test on the ner Nerves Every time that I went to To the appointment.
He find me something elyes like you need a city scan on your need to go to a land you never tell me what's wrong with my feet. I went to a Neuro surgery So The MI. R.
From my back. He told me.I need a surgery on my Disk 4 and 5 and he make the surgery.
I'm starting to move my Fingers A little bit. my back. But I think I need some therapy Can you show me some exercise
Great video. Thanks for the review of different devices. I got diagnosed this year and with the diagnosis, realized that me occasionally tripping on flat surfaces sincle highschool wasnt just a small thing that made me "quirky". Always described myself as an athletic clutz.
I don't know if you have made any videos on hyper extention of the knee, but it was this issue that finally got a MS diagnosis for my wife.
Loved seeing different options! My foot drop is minor so I no longer wear my uncomfortable AFOs❤
I have MS tried the AFO, too rigid!! Tried the bioness unit loved it totally unaffordable!! Now use the little one you showed around my ankle! I am on my like third one and use my own velcro straps they hold better but it is the best and most affordable!!
2:31 for clarity 'left side' is RIGHT side of OUR SCREEN. Very interesting video.
this video makes me wonder if MS patients sometimes ALSO have O.A. related peripheral neuropathy.
I question whether I have both.. I am 58 , and in my unprofessional way on saw minor constriction . I understand that the nerve is about 9mm avg and the tube starts of at about 14mm avg but can get crowded due to bone formation.
Dr Beaber, your excellent precision and 'let's have some fun' attitude makes you very helpful. Possibly more physio therapy orientation occasionally in videos would be wonderful. Time for you to get the track pants out and get physical :)
In my case I'm still able to walk a couple of subway stops and play the saxophone professionally (for now). I do short bit on an eliptical trainer and should start using my stretchy orange theraband to limber up my thighs and calves before I hobble to the kitchen in the mornings .
I have left foot drop from a stroke. I have been using the bioness L300 for about 3 years. It really works well for me and I love the freedom it provides. However, when I am fatigued or highly stressed my muscles just stop responding to the electrical stimulation. I am looking for something besides the hard plastic to use at these times. Thanks for the informative video.
Thanks for sharing
THANK YOU DOCTOR FOR ALL YOU DO
The walk aide works well and works better for me than the bioness model I tried. It has come down from the original price because insurance generally does not cover it.
Future video suggestions are BTK inhibitors and the differences of the CD 20, 19, and 3 meds recently approved or researched, and the remyelination drugs that don’t seem to make it very far. Thanks
Tried the bioness at the VA. Decided against it. I have MS with right-sided weakness, and my foot drop can vary wildly from day to day, even intra-day. It's incredibly frustrating.
I have the same thing as you feeling like the only one.
I have an thick plastic afo for my left foot as there's weakness in it that means I can't lift against gravity when walking. But when sitting I can pull my foot up, after I push it down a few times when I try to pull up eventually my brain sends the right signal. I find it quite amusing that my brain/foot just don't communicate right any more.
Hi. Doctor, please make a video on Brown Sequard Syndrome (T4). And please take about the inability to maintain knee function on the right leg, because in my situation my knee hyperextends, because of this I can't work independently and if I can recover. Also the foot drop, my right foot (toes) also wants to coil inward like clinching a fist and because of this, my foot catches the floor even with a Hard plastic ankle foot orthosis. And sensation.
I received accupunture with electricity that greatly strengthened my legs and the strength lasted for a week so I only needed accupture once a week. But when I moved and tried accupture in 4 other clinics my strength after the sessions lasted less than 1 hour.
➡➡➡➡➡➡ So, has anyone else tried accupunture and did it make you strong for a week ❓❓
I tried acupuncture 20 yrs ago when I was diagnosed with MS, but it didn't do anything for me. I am going to give it another try soon. 🙏♥️🙏
I have Multiple sclerosis for the last 20 years and I tried Acupuncture 2years ago a few sessions and did not do nothing for me🤷🏽♀️
@@meshiabean2865 were the needles connected to electricity ? I feel nothing without electricity
@@madamlaughsalot5759 I've moved and tried acupuncture from 3 different clinics but after less than 1 hour this had no positive effect on me. And there are remedies you can try at home:
I now have my own red light head cap and a square red light lamp that I either put the lamp on my knees or balance on my head whle laying down. The lamp on my head allows me to riggle my toes. And the cap doesnt feel as powerful as the lamp.
Also got a Himalayan Salt lamp that is at least 10 inches (25cm) long. If I put the lamp under each knee touching my skin for 30 to 60 minutes then each leg feels strong. And this is not the way Himalayan Salt lamps are promoted with an electrical light bulb.
Been using FES Devices for over 10 years and have tested nearly all that are out there. I’ve understood that approximately 50% work for the patients testing them. The others don’t respond or can’t deal with the electrical currents. The devices meanwhile range from simple 2 channel stimulation of the perineum nerves under the knees to multiple channels that stimulate quadriceps and ishiocrural muscles creating a better physiological movement. Key challenge for FES is the impulse trigger. Some patients can’t steer their legs sufficiently to make devices react correctly and and to have to rely on foot sensors. Next stop after FES would be Exoskeleton for those with even less lower limb capabilities. There’s arguably a fitting solution for everyone nowadays.
I am certainly interested to see the trajectory of exoskeleton technology
AFOs also don't allow you to wear shoes you want to wear.Which for me was the reason I got a Walkaide. Foot drop is common in brain tumors as well as strokes and traumatic brain injury. Walkaide I could never get covered nor the Bioness L300.which is bs. My latest attempt resulted in my insurance saying that because of my diagnosis of a brain tumor it wasn't proven through clinical trials to be beneficial. Keep in mind I have been using a Walkaide since 2009.
Do you have a video about Jumpy or Restless Leg Syndrome? Since my leg started getting a life of it's own, I can't get any sleep at night! 😝
Not yet but thanks for the suggestion.
Hey Doc I’ve suffered with footdrop for more than 10 years due to CMT currently right now I’m using the AFO splint with two lace
I have this afo. My question is because it is so rigid how does one develop neuroplasticity, in other words I feel my dorsiflexion has improved where I can feel my toes are trying to connect with my walk. I have spastic ankle but do ankle flexion exercises assisted where my feet are flat on floor & I knee bend to gain Nose over toes and feet. See improvement as my foot was quite supinated prior to this . I can swing my involved leg through when I walk. I have left side hemiplegia and 9 years post stroke. Is there a progression AFO TO HELP GET TO THE STAGE WHERE IT ALL COMES TOGETHER?
Years ago when I was still walking, I was fitted with one of these devices. The set up configurations take some time but I remember it did kick my feet upwards but it did not help the hips, which was causing me to swing my legs up stairs for example. Had I not progressed, it would have been more useful but like I said I needed more support from my hips
It very much depends on someone's specific gait mechanics.
My footdrop is a result of MS. My right hamstring is in poor condition so bending of the knee to walk normally is a challenge. I was wondering if there is a non-electrical stimulant device that you are aware of for this that is as simple as some shown from Amazon. I'd like to try something before buying the Bioness device.
Any TENS unit you can buy on the internet is a waste of your money because they don't have enough power (only a 9volt battery) to make the muscle to contract. When I had a nerve tests done by a neurologist the the unit was plugged into the wall (at least 125ac). It caused strong contractions when applied below where the nerve was damaged. I took 600 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid for 45 days and the nerve healed. My foot drop was caused by sudden weight loss. I lost 20% of my body weight in 6 days from maltreatment in a hospital full of stupid inept doctors and nurses! You will lose weight rapidly when you're fed baby food and not allowed to drink fluids.
Dr my son of 2 years was injected wrongly on the buttocks last week and this has caused him foot drop. What do I do? Please i need help
Sorry to hear about this but I can't give you personal advice. Hopefully he recovers quickly.
Would a secice help with lifting my foot when trying to get up a step ? Sometimes its ss if my foot is glued to the floor only happens when im in a hurry to get somewhere
Nothing new. Used all of these 20 years ago.. I wonder if they improved the walk.aid.
Can foot drop recover after 2.5 years without any movement in GBS
Great video, are there devices for calf weakness, due to nerve injury, to help with heel raise when walking?
There are some articles on this topic but I have not seen such devices: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8451173/#CD014871-bbs2-0020
There is actually a profession called an Orthotist that specializes in brace fitting and selection. There are many facets to foot drop that go way beyond the single plan of motion mentioned here. Every weakness leads to a compensation that then overloads other muscle structures. This in turn thwarts endurance and limits the patients proper function! Please do not consider this video all inclusive if you are dealing with a foot drop. Great 30,000 foot view though!
Yes. No doubt I refer my own patients with foot drop to appropriate specialist to get the right device.
Good video and very informative- #Sharingiscaring
#MavencladMilf
I am suffering with right leg foot drop which is best devise for assistence
Does acupuncture work for foot drop.
Any advice on what I can do to help my elderly father who has contracture in his right hand?
You may like this video on spasticity: ruclips.net/video/JX7e9qmINOw/видео.html Botox injections are an option. If severe, contractures can become an orthopaedic problem.
@@DrBrandonBeaber Thank you very much!
I have a soft AFO and I find it does little to improve my waking
It might be wise to try a different device
Best solution- 3 ft bungee cord. Hook top to belt, Hook bottom to front shoe lace. Adjust length with knot(s). Color to match your eyes. Price $3. Route down pant leg.
Sort of a make-shift hip flexion assist device.
Bob and Brad had that on there channel
3ft bungee cord. One end hooked to belt. Other end hooked to front shoe lace. Add knots to adjust length. Cost $2.
Did it work for you?
@@DrBrandonBeaber absolutely. No one can tell I have foot drop.
Also. My foot drop is total. Cannot dorso flex at all.
Will this help if foot drop comes from L5 - S1 lesion
A very good video to watch !! 👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞
Thanks
@@DrBrandonBeaber You're very welcome & thank YOU !! 🙏 I subbed to your channel immediately for my mom ! 👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞
Will it help me I had weak legs had polio
possibly if you have foot drop
Plastic didn't work for me
If one can pinch this nerve in his sleep, or simply crossing legs, why is it so hard to free it?
This makes no sense at all.
I'm not sure what you mean.
Tumor is also a cause from osteosarcoma
Machine foot drop i want
how bout a cure? and if there is in fact no cure why are there so many videos on "exercises for foot drop"??
There’s a physical therapist online named Gretchen Hawley
I have foot drop.
Did any of these devices help you?