Deborah,

     Go to the ortho doctor.  They will probably put him in AFO's they
know more about this kind if thing.  Keep us posted.


Chester Worwa


On Wed, 12 Apr 2000, Deborah wrote:

> I need help, I am at wits end here.
> I have been trying to convince UCP's PT that Zachary needs an ankle high =
> AFO.  I had his PT finally convinced about a month ago to investigate.  =
> But guess what?  That PT went and got married and moved, now there is a =
> new PT who has only seen Zachary a total of 3 hours (1 hr a week).  His =
> OT, respitory therapist and neurologist all have said he needs =
> something, his OT said he definantly needs an ankle high AFO.  Zachary =
> has documented flat feet and low muscle tone.  He also has moderate =
> developmental delay and is toe walking.  His OT said the reason she =
> thought AFO's would do him good would be to give him extra support =
> around the ankles where the muscle tone is low.  His neurologist said =
> they need to do something to try and prevent him from toe walking or it =
> could damage his heel cords and calf muscles, not to mention cause =
> damage to his knees,hips and back over time.
> She(the PT) took him back today and said she did several range of motion =
> things and he did well with them, said she also had him walk about four =
> or five times up and down the hall, said with his right foot he placed =
> the heel correctly almost all of the time, but with his left foot missed =
> it most of the time.
> So what did she say ? "Let's wait and see, plus maybe you should go get =
> him some shoes that go up passed the ankle for support and that has good =
> arch support."  I just about screamed.  Three weeks ago they told me to =
> go out and buy these special shoes that has no arch cut out of them and =
> that are flat on the bottom, they cost me $41.
> Frankly I told her that this is the same thing the other PT said to me 8 =
> months ago, I said I was tired of waiting.  With that she said she would =
> go ahead and refer him over to the ortho clinic and see what they might =
> say.  She said they may say the total opposite of her and want to put =
> him into AFO's.
> What is anyone opinions on this ?  Any help will be appreciated.
> Deborah mom of 4
>