Has anyone found a foot brace that helps?

@bajjerfan Quietriver here, You might try finding someone in your area that make and impression of your feet and a arothics that fit in your shoes with the cushioning where you need it most built in. make a world of different sin your comfort when walkings. I have a friend who's toes are at a 45 degree angle to the foot and with them in her shoes she has no problem at all. except for a two year readjustment.

@quietriver

It isn't my feet or shoes that make walking difficult. It's when I start walking that the muscle/s in my right side below the top of my pelvic bone and down to part way down my glute on the right side start to tighten up and cause me to bend forward somewhat. I can feel the pain and tightness along my lower back and part way up both sides of my spine. I have a spot at the top of my pelvic bone that sometimes feels inflamed on its owk or when exercising or when lying on my back on a hard or soft surface. I suppose I could have another try with a muscle relaxant, but i feel tired a lot as it is and they would just exacerbate the problem. For me Metaxalone/Skelaxin is the preferred MR. I tried 800mg once a day, but didn't notice much. That's another that's best gotten from Mark Cuban's Low Cost Drugs, esp. the 800mg size which can easily be cut in half.

I injured my left ankle before my neuropathy. I have always felt weak in that foot. I asked for physical therapy for my neuropathy and that helped strengthen my muscles. I also have drop foot on same foot from a back surgery. Therapy helps, but you have to keep it up. I have been lazy and know I feel weaker like before. I also wore a soft brace first and it supports some but then the muscles depend on that brace. So bathroom trips at night were challenging. I have to stand up and make sure my feet are there. I walk very carefully. I put my tennis shoes on now, something about them supports my foot and let's me walk more confident. I have random pains and most of them quit by morning. Sometimes I have extreme sharp pains in my toes, they don't last long but boy they hurt. Before I asked for therapy I felt like my bones moved around in my skin on my foot. Sounds weird, it felt weird like the two were not connected. Therapy changed that. I had a really good therapist who made me work.

Have you seen this article?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-have-ne-taking-achtyl-l-carnitine-for-over-a-year/

@lockmith sounds like my feet!🙈

@quietriver Have you seen this article?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-have-ne-taking-achtyl-l-carnitine-for-over-a-year/

@lockmith On one attempt at a nighttime bathroom visit, I slid right off the bed onto the floor, had to creep around to the cushioned low bench I have at the foot of the bed, where I sit to get dressed, and lever myself up onto it. I bought a bedside safety rail, now I sit up, hold the rail, get my bearings, put non-skid socks on that I keep on the bedside table, then stand- still holding on and off to the bathroom. I changed which side of the bed I sleep on to get a more direct path and add balance touches- left hand on the bar, then reach to the window sill, then right hand reach to the bureau edge, left hand to the door jamb, ridiculous but no falls since!
Balance that’s “off” and lack of good feeling in the soles of my feet are not a good combination. We do what we have to do, don’t we?

Now practice dodging 2 cats who stop right in front of you. They keep it interesting. I to have a handrail at the top of the bed. After 3 surgeries I have used it well. I keep a small flashlight at the bed so I don't step on the cats. I keep the bedroom area dark so it helps my sleep and turning on a light will wake me up to much. My cats will bring small toys into the hallway so I never know what will be there. I have never fully regained my balance so night walking can be a hazard. Thanks for sharing, I know we all have our challenges.

My knee high brace is to be worn inside my shoe or boots. It was not designed for walking. They might make one for walking. I used a lace up ankle brace that I can walk in but it can slip as well. Just be careful especially if you have hard floors.

@lockmith
Use the same brace for walking outside and around in the house. It should have 2 straps to hold it to the leg. Trim an odor eater pad to fit the brace. The pad goes between your foot and the brace. You might want to wear tie type shoes. In the house just use it with a pair of slippers. Mine is made of carbon fiber. It is slick on the bottom so that's why you use it in slippers.

My neurologist gave me a prescription for one. The place where I got it mde sure it fit my foot and shoe.