Peripheral sensory neuropathy - Anyone tried Walkasins?

My Brother in Law just received one from the VA, I was wondering if anyone with PN has tried this device?

Good morning, @timber3085. As curious as I am to learn others' thoughts on the Walkasin device, what really grabbed my attention was your saying that your brother-in-law received one through the VA. I hadn't realized that the VA helped with such devices. Some of my friends are forever asking me why I've never turned to the VA for help. My answer has always been that devices like the Walkasin are too "unproven" for the VA to ever want to get involved. Now I'm wondering if I've been wrong all along. –Ray (@ray666)

I am not a Veteran, my Dad was. The VA has changed in the last 8 years. My Brother in Law has severe low back problems and the VA has given him the ability to try drugs that are frowned upon by civilian Doctors. You should give them a try.

Hello again, @timber3085. It seems I'm one of those many, many veterans who have never taken full advantage of the VA. My years of active service go back to the late '60s/early '70s when, as you say, the VA was a very different VA. I'm intrigued. One of my oldest and dearest friends is probably the fellow who leans most heavily on me about talking to the VA. His case is a classic case: Agent Orange exposure, leading to linkable leukemia, which he survived, and for decades has been the recipient of a substantial VA disability benefit. Thanks to your post, I will talk to him about this matter of my situation and the VA. –Ray (@ray666)

It took a lot of calls and a long drive to a major teaching hospital’s rehab department to try out the Walkasins, but I did not find them helpful at all. I could feel the electric “zapping”, but it didn’t make any difference in my gait or balance. BUT the PT recommended I have a “gait analysis” done at another practice- a flat piece went into each shoe which “talked to the computer”, which showed on the screen the pattern of my gait. You could clearly see I was getting very little push-off in the step-through of my right leg. I googled “Dicks Sporting Goods near me”, went and bought two pairs of Brooks, brought them back to the practice, they redid them- a metal rocker plate in the right shoe to give a mechanical push-off and a higher sole in the left so I would be “even”. It has made a world of difference.
The PT also recommended an AFO (ankle foot orthosis- the white plastic lower leg brace) to steady my ankle and pop up the toes while walking. I balked at that, but finally did it, and wear the brace for my daily walk. It has made a positive difference too.
There are reasons the Walkasins are hard to access. I called their Minnesota office, was told there are only two clinics in the entire state of PA that have a PT certified in their use and models to try, made the appointment two and a half hours drive away, and didn’t find them helpful at all. Plus you can’t take them with you to keep trying them at home. To buy them privately is several thousand dollars.
Hope my experience is helpful, don’t feel you’re missing out if you can’t get to try them.

Good morning, centre (@centre)

I was turned off Walkasins a year or two ago by the same things that have turned you off. However, I never pursued Walkasins as determinately as you have; I allowed myself to be swayed by the negative reports I received from various Connect members.

I find it interesting that the brand of shoe that is giving you some relief is Brooks (a “world of difference,” you say). Brooks were my go-to shoes in the last seven or eight years of my running life. They remained my favorite until a knee replacement put the kibosh on running altogether.

What I’ve never considered trying is a “gait analysis.” Your message has me thinking, thinking … As soon as my sepsis foot wound is healed and I’m able to wear shoes again (it’s been over 80 days since I was last able to wear any shoes), I’m going to look into getting a gait analysis.

I hope you’re having an enjoyable weekend!
Ray (@ray666)

@timber3085, @ray666, @centre - There are a couple of other discussions on Walkasins that you might want to scan through to read what others have shared:

-- Anyone tried Accelera SR 100 device? Or Walkasins?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-tried-accelera-sr-100-device-or-walkasins/
-- Peripheral sensory neuropathy - Anyone tried Walkasins?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-sensory-neuropathy-device/

@timber3085, you may also be interested in this related discussion. I moved your question here:
- Peripheral sensory neuropathy - Anyone tried Walkasins?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-sensory-neuropathy-device/

Also see:
- Anyone tried Accelera SR 100 device? Or Walkasins?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-tried-accelera-sr-100-device-or-walkasins/

Thank you

Where do you get a gait analysis?