In the first rehab place. They suggest that we get an AFO. I have no idea what they are talking about. But, as true to my nature I google it and find out what it is. That sounds good. The PT puts in an order. I am supposed to go to some shop and get William fitted for an AFO. When we get to the shop, the person asks what kind we want??? What kind?? I thought there was only one kind. I had seen the plastic ones. Well, what do you have and what are the differences?? She brings out a plastic one and one that is attached directly to the shoe. I ask her what she would suggest. She suggests the one that is attached to the shoe. It has metal rods that go along side the leg to just below the knee. She says that this kind is best in Houston because you will not feel the heat so much. The other one is right up against the leg. this one has less adjustments. So I take the one that is cooler and will require less adjustments. Now she wants me to leave a pair of shoes. Well, we only brought one pair of shoes with us. Nobody said anything about having to leave shoes. We leave the pair of shoes that William has on. While driving away, I decide to buy a new pair and I bring a new pair back to have AFO made into. So now, we get he old pair back.

When we go to therapy. I reprimand them for not telling me about the choices. They did not know there was a different kind. It is best of the person comes to therapy .....So that the proper adjustments can be made. This place did not have balance bars. William did not walk or anything for her. I don't know how she knew about doral or plantar flexion. I questioned the PT person about this. They found it hard to believe that she did not walk him.

I went in 3 weeks and picked up the AFO. HE tried it on. The maker said that it was fine. I wanted her to adjust it so that the toe was brought up more. She did that. I really do not know enough to make a decent decision.

Our latest PT said that the AFO was perfect. Because William does not have any feeling in his left leg. THis is external and will not rub his leg.

FYI I cut the top off of a sock and use it under the top velcro closure. This protects his leg ... because his socks do no come up that high on his leg.

The AFO is working. I did talk to another rehab doc and she was surprised that the rehab doctor did not have input into the AFO. The PT and the person who makes the AFO make all of the decisions. I do think that the rehab doc should make some decisions. According to the other doctor they are trained to make suggstions on this. I guess they don't if they don't have to. I am trying a new rehab doctore now. I will have to remember to ask him about AFO's.

Alot of stroke patients do not have feeling in the affected side. The comments do not make alot of sense.

But, I am still learning about AFO's.

Why do the PT and OT people think that it is necessary to swing your legs with the AFO onto the bed? WHo wears their shoes to bed?? I need to ask why they insist that William conquer this skill. The external AFo is heavy. The affected leg heavy and heavier with the AFO.