Yesterdays appointment for Karsen's casting went ridiculously well. He didn't make a peep and didn't move, just watched. I was shocked. They ended up casting both feet. Ok, when I say casting they take a cast of his foot so they can make the AFO to his exact form of his foot. So, it gets cut off right after it dries. They are ordering an AFO (ankle foot orthosis) for Karsen's left foot, that will go almost all the way to his knee bend. The SMO (supra malleolar othosis) helps maintain a vertical, or neutral heel while also supporting the three arches of the foot, it helps improve standing balance and walking. The SMO is still considered an AFO it's just the smallest of them all. Karsen's right foot over compensates for the lack of coordination on his left side. So his right food doesn't stand flat. The SMO should help with that. The AFO for his left side is designed like an SMO but comes up much higher and helps support ankle rotation and prevents toe walking or standing, which is very typical in cp kids. Their main concern for Karsen's left foot is his toe curling. Here's some pics of examples below. I'm actually pretty excited to get these, it means Karsen's that much closer to walking (it's pretty far out of site right now, but we're working on it).
above is a picture of an AFO
This is what a SMO look like
A pretty good shot of the difference of feet. Some obvious toe curling on his left foot.
Getting his right casted
Holding it still so it can form correctly.
Getting the left casted.
Karsen was champ!
It's so cool how they make those. B isn't really of fan of his AFO's but we are building tolerance.
ReplyDeleteWhy did he have to have both right and left casted? Will he wear them on both legs?
ReplyDeleteSo why did they fit him for both feet? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!!!! We have to go in and get Callie an AFO soon as well. They wanted one awhile ago but with her just learning to sit her OT/PT didn't want to stop the progression of it. Now that she's wanting to weight bear on her feet again we'll have to revisit it soon. Callies left foot turns out to the left but with massaging and time it has gotten sooo much better! Praying the AFO works for both of our little ones!
ReplyDeleteSo Jaimie, why did they have to do both legs? Will he wear the brace on both legs or just the left one? Just curious. :o)
ReplyDeleteHe over compensates with his right foot what he lacks in his left foot, so both feet are not being used properly. He will wear one on each foot. I'm not sure if he'll need to have one for his right permanently (like his left) but the goal is for this to fix his right foot and he wont need to wear one again. But his left however, he'll most likely always need an AFO.
DeleteWeston has worn these. He never was bothered by it. I will tell you when you get tennis shoes to go over them take the sole insert out. It will make finding shoes much easier.
ReplyDelete