If you have a foot drop due to stroke, ALS, multiple sclerosis or injury to your peroneal nerve, but you’re starting to have better control and movement, this video might help you.
After gaining some control and movement to your foot and ankle in bringing it up or towards dorsiflexion, you need to continue managing it and getting it stronger. This will improve your walking and decrease your fall risk. In this video we will be doing more exercises to improve the strength of your ankle and foot and I will show you a recommended AFO that you can wear every day.
In this video you will be needing some items that you can find at home and cheap items to buy. You also need to get that AFO that I was talking about that you can wear with your shoes. The things that you will need would be a skateboard or if you don’t have one maybe a paper plate will do. You will also need ankle weights for the active resistive exercise part.
The first exercise is sitting down and bringing your leg up with your toes pointing up. Keep your knee flexed or bent and point your toes upwards. Do this 10 times.
Next exercise is foot sliding. Use a skateboard to bring your foot back and forth while keeping your toes pointing up when you extend your leg. If you don’t have a skateboard use a paper plate on the floor to help your foot to slide. Do this 10 times.
Now let’s do an exercise with resistance. Get anankle weight and put it around your foot. Place you leg on another chair Of the same height as the one that you are sitting on and move your foot up and down emphasizing on bringing your foot and toes towards you and your foot and ankle should be hanging to allow more freedom of movement.
Next exercise is knees over toes while sitting on a smooth chair that would allow you to slide forward and back. Keep your foot bended on the floor while sliding your self forward and back on your chair to bring your knee over your toes so you won’t see your foot. Just slide back-and-forth from your chair 10 times.
Next is standing knee over toes. If you don’t have a good balance support yourself using a walker or a chair in front of you. Bring your good leg back and keep it straight. Then bend the leg from the knee and bring it forward. You should not see your foot and toes when you look at it from the top.
And then lastly, practice walking. Concentrate on bringing your toes up Especially during heel strike and right after
toe off.
Now let’s talk about my recommended ankle foot orthosis. This type of orthosis is rigid from the bottom but is flexible enough with the straps that you can wear it while using your shoes. It will look Just like an ankle support.
Your reference would be the whole for your heel and then security Velcro‘s from the top and then for the foot. Bring the long straps Diagonally towards the top part of the AFO and do the same on the other side. Adjust accordingly. This should fit your shoe when you loosen up the shoelaces. This AFO is better worn with your sneakers or your tennis shoes.
#stroke #als #multiplesclerosis
Foot drop brace : amzn.to/41oKIJe
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Disclaimer:
This video should not replace the necessity of visiting your doctor or getting your occupational therapy session done. Please consult your primary care physician before doing any of this. The video is for educational purposes only.
By performing any fitness exercises, you are performing them at your own risk. Skills and wellness will not be responsible or liable for any injury or harm you sustain as a result of our fitness program.
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