If you are having difficulty walking, because your foot is spastic, stiff or rigid pointing down, you might want to watch this video and do the exercises with me. This is not for foot drop but for a spastic foot and leg.
When you have a foot that is stiff, rigid and pointed down, it is very difficult to walk because you want your foot to be flexible and able to go flat on the floor to walk properly. The reason why your foot, toes and ankle is like that is because of spasticity from a stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury or other nuerological disease. We need to manage that in order for you to go back to walking more easily and properly and reduce falling. We need to stretch and exercise your foot as often as we can, in order to get the results that we want
First thing that we need to do is to make sure that we are able to bend the knee. This is because it will make it easier for us to stretch your ankles when our knee is also relaxed. So we will first sit on a chair or on your couch or at the side of your bed. Initially, your leg will be straight and stiff. Bend your knee very slowly while letting gravity assist you in doing so. Once you’re able to bend your knee, bring your lower leg further back to slowly stretch your calf muscle, and make your ankle and foot more limber. Hold that position for a minute.
Second, we will need to use a water bottle or anything cylindrical that is strong enough to carry the weight of your leg and foot. Slowly roll it under your foot for a minute or for as long as you can.
Third, we will need to use a belt. Put it around the foot of your stroke leg and pull your foot to point your toes up. Hold that for a minute or longer. By the way, you can do this exercises while watching TV or listening to your favorite music.
Fourth, we will need a rolled up towel, or if you have a wedge, use that. You can also use a cheap and relatively thin chopping board on a book to make a wedge. We will first do this sitting down. Place your foot on top of that, rolled up towel or wedge, and hold that for a minute or so.
Fifth, we will be doing the same stretch, but standing up. Stand up and put your foot on that, rolled up towel or wedge, and hold that position for a minute or so.
Sixth, we need to bring your affected leg back. Keep your. stroke leg straight while bending the front leg from the knee. Do this 10 times.
Seventh exercise, is squats. Support yourself with a walker or chair or you can also do this by your kitchen sink and hold yourself up. Slowly do high squats and go back up 10 times.
Eighth exercise is weight-bearing on the affected leg. Bring both feet and shoulder with or 1 foot apart and put most of your weight on your affected leg. If you can bring your good leg up while leaning on your affected side do that. A variation for that is bringing your unaffected leg and foot forward to the side and to the back. Do that several times.
And the ninth exercise is walking. Use an assistive device first if your ankle and foot is still tight. Watch the previous video if this part is still difficult for you.
And lastly, where are your ankle foot orthosis regularly.
#strokerecovery #multiplesclerosis #traumaticbraininjury
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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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