Carter's orthotic's finally arrived on Wednesday from Hanger Orthotics. Carter was a little worried about how long he would have to have them in and if they would hurt. Since this was our first time dealing with orthotics we really didn't know what to expect.
They told us to get him new shoes since the insoles would take up some room and that it will take a couple of weeks for him to work up to wearing them full time. We need to make sure that the shoe we get him has a removable insole and is not tight with the new insole. Carter starts off wearing the insert two times a day for 15 minutes for 3 days then tries to move up to 30 min 2 times a day and so forth. Until he is up to wearing them all the time.
The first night Carter wore them for 15 minutes but complained about pain. He said that it hurts to wear them. I told him it will take some getting used to this was his first time wearing them. But then Thursday he tried to wear them again for 15 minutes and complained of pain again. So for now he is only wearing them once a day for 15 minutes, basically we are off track big time. We are just going to gradually work our way into them. Gotta love teenagers!
Like I said we were new to all this so I though I would put together some helpful information on Orthotics for people.
What are Orthotics?
They are basically a device that fits into your shoe to help support and align your foot. They also provide correction and improve the function of the foot. In order to help your exact problem or problems you must get a prescription from you doctor to insure you get a "custom" orthotic to suit your needs. Remember, each person's foot is shaped differently so buying an over the counter insert will not help those with CMT.
What to expect when you go in for your custom orthotics.
When Carter went in for his they had did a full evaluation. A good specialists will ask you several questions about your daily living, any pain or discomfort you are having, medical history and so forth. They will also look at your feet, have you stand, walk, squat(if you can Carter can't really squat), walk on your heals(another thing Carter cannot do)..you get the idea. Neurological testing is another part of the exam as well. After examining your feet, gait and listening to you, they will determine what type of orthotic you will need.
How is the custom orthotic made?
The custom orthotic is made from a mold of your foot. The mold is an exact replica of your foots shape and contour. They are typically made from such materials as foams, rubbers, carbon fibers and more. Again, depending on your evaluation the specialist will determine what type of materials are used as well as how much support and control you'll need.
Will you have discomfort and how long will you need to have them?
Everyone is different, so some people may have mild discomfort and others moderate. This is why they gradually put you into them by having you wear them in small increments and working your way up to full time. Since the orthotic is realigning your lower extremities you may have some discomfort from your muscles trying to get used to the new alignment. From what I understand if after a few weeks you still feel some discomfort you should go back in for evaluation. As far as how long you have to wear them probably forever. Remember, they are improving your feet not correcting them. So as long as wear them you should feel some improvement. We were told you cannot expect miracles, they are not going to help straighten your toes or correct your arch. They will simply help support your foot and hopefully improve your way of life.
I hope this info helps someone. As I have said before I do not claim to be a doctor nor do I play one on t.v. I am just a mom trying to find my way through CMT for my boys.
Until Next Time.............I hope your feet are happy.....Mission Happy Feet
"Stay Strong, Believe"~Carter Hayes
Ugh....I feel for Carter! I remember getting my first pair of orthotics as a teenager, before getting my AFO, and they were really uncomfortable at first. Having CMT only makes it harder, as we are more prone to pain and it's harder for our muscles to adjust to the changes. It will all be worth it, though! Even a little improvement is still an improvement! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteAlso, you comment about not playing a doctor on tv gave me a funny thought. I am really into all the medical dramas on TV (Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, used to watch House and ER, etc.), and I have never seen them do an episode where CMT was mentioned. I wonder how we could go about changing that...:)