Footwear

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   Hi..
......I haven't had to use splints, calipers, or any sort of modified footwear since my early teens and that was nearly 50years ago!
I recently had an appointment at PRI regarding my diabetes and was referred to the orthotic department, who took one look and said that I was in need of made-to-measure footwear and that my polio problems had as much to do with it as my diabetes.  I am now eagerly awaiting shoes that will make my feet comfortable for the first time since I can't remember when.  
I have to say that I have received more help and support in the last year from Tayside NHS than I ever received in Fife since 1960.  The GP and hospital staff seem to go out of their way to help and don't seem to be hog-tied by the accountants who seem to run everything these days.
Am I glad I moved to Tayside?........You bet I am! 

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Ian S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 04Oct2009 Location: S.E Perthshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Quote Reply Topic: Footwear Posted: 03Nov2009 at 11:47am
	Hi.. ......I haven't had to use splints, calipers, or any sort of modified footwear since my early teens and that was nearly 50years ago! I recently had an appointment at PRI regarding my diabetes and was referred to the orthotic department, who took one look and said that I was in need of made-to-measure footwear and that my polio problems had as much to do with it as my diabetes. I am now eagerly awaiting shoes that will make my feet comfortable for the first time since I can't remember when. I have to say that I have received more help and support in the last year from Tayside NHS than I ever received in Fife since 1960. The GP and hospital staff seem to go out of their way to help and don't seem to be hog-tied by the accountants who seem to run everything these days. Am I glad I moved to Tayside?........You bet I am!
	Live long and prosper......Ian.

rosenam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 26Jul2009 Location: Glasgow Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Quote Reply Posted: 04Nov2009 at 5:52pm
	Hi Ian I've never been for splints/calipers or anything like it since my teens either, I have an appointment on Monday - I will see what they suggest then Glad you have found the help you need I'm in Glasgow - so will see how that pans out as far as funding etc There is supposed to be a Consultant there who takes an interest in P.P.S. - will let the Forum know how that goes bbfn
	Rosena

rosenam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 26Jul2009 Location: Glasgow Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Quote Reply Posted: 09Nov2009 at 3:51pm
	Hi all Have just had my appointment with the Orthotic Dept. - I'm having a splint fitted - oh well it had to happen. The girl - not meant derogatively - told me I was very lucky, most polio's never got out of their calipers she also seems to think I was very young, this annoyed me no end, everyone I've spoken to all had the same experience getting mobile and getting rid of whatever aids they could manage and to get on with their lives - which most of us did She also seemed to think that only the most severely affected polio's suffer from PPS I think when I see her again, if she suggests I'm lucky or any other nonesence, I will tell her she should do some research anyone else had this kind of experience?
	Rosena

Ian S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 04Oct2009 Location: S.E Perthshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Quote Reply Posted: 10Nov2009 at 9:34am
	Hi......just goes to show how little the "newer" medics actually know about what is in this country a virtually eradicated disease. It really irritates when they look for different diagnoses for individual symptoms and refuse to believe that they could all have one common link....PPS, even though privately they will suggest the possibility. Walk and exercise more....they must be joking. I would love to be half as fit as I was even 30 years ago when I cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats Eat less......I eat all the healthy recommended stuff. I should be full of all the right vitamins and "good for you" stuff. Cut out smoking!....I've never smoked in my life. Drink less alcohol......what?....that's about the only thing to enjoy and it's only ever in the evenings. All right....that's my rant over with. Have a good one.
	Live long and prosper......Ian.

rosenam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 26Jul2009 Location: Glasgow Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Quote Reply Posted: 11Nov2009 at 2:43pm
	Hi all I know that most of us get people like this in medical situations, but people skill don't cost anything I go back to the hospital on the 24th for a fitting, hope to be able to keep my mouth shut then (might get into trouble lol) I'll leave her a few websites to visit, then maybe she will get some idea of what she is talking about bbfn
	Rosena

VimtoKid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 23Nov2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Quote Reply Posted: 23Nov2009 at 12:04pm
	I also stopped wearing a caliper 40 years ago (because the skin at the top of my leg kept getting sores.) I have only recently gone back to wearing a knee brace to stop my knee hyper extending (and giving knee pain). This was at the recommendation of a physio and supplied by the orthotics dept. It has made a big difference. I wear the tubular stocking under it to stop it rubbing. Because it doesn't locate in my shoe and has velcro straps it takes time to get it in the correct position in the morning. My experiences with the 3 different NHS physios this year were all positive. Note : I wasn't referred by my GP I self referred. I have also had a superb service from the workshop people that used to be part of the PMR Hospital in the Edinburgh. (This year and going back through the decades) My experience is that if you are pro active and patient you can get there - best of luck.
	VintoKid

rosenam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 26Jul2009 Location: Glasgow Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Quote Reply Posted: 23Nov2009 at 8:37pm
	Hi there I have decided that when I go back tomorrow it will be with an open mind - only problem being that they think that the splint will help everything knee, overextending hip etc. So I'll just wait and see what happens, will keep you posted bbfn
	Rosena

rosenam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 26Jul2009 Location: Glasgow Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Quote Reply Posted: 24Nov2009 at 7:12pm
	Hi all Now have the splint, I have to ease myself into wearing it 1 hour today - 2 tomorrow etc My back and hip are giving me a lot of pain at the moment as my whole gait has shifted will persevere though as I know it is for the best. Just as well I job share as I don't think I could put up with a whole week of this and work as well lol I can feel a difference and hopefully the pain will ease as I get used to it bbfn
	Rosena

VimtoKid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 23Nov2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Quote Reply Posted: 25Nov2009 at 7:46am
	Dear Rosenam Initially when I got my knee brace I only wore it about the house for short periods with a long leg elastic stocking underneath to stop the straps rubbing. I took weeks to build the time up before I wore it to work. Also I found that after a few weeks where the straps applied my leg shrunk so I had to adjust the straps behind my leg to ensure it was still stopping my knee hyper extending. The positive thing is I now am able to wear it all the time and it has made a difference. The physio commented that my posture had improved so much the I needed walking sticks that were 2" longer. (I almost got a gold star) I find I don't get the shooting pains through my knee as often since wearing the knee brace. Note: I found most of my back pain was resolved by altering the setup of my workstation in work and also not sitting at the computer for hours without getting up and going for a walk.
	VintoKid

rosenam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 26Jul2009 Location: Glasgow Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Quote Reply Posted: 25Nov2009 at 4:06pm
	Hi VimtoKid Good advice about the workstation I have had all the assessments done in work, have a chair, adjustable footstool, gelpad mousemat - these all help, I do get up and walk around more in the office. My ankle was just giving randomly - with no pain or warning so I feel I need to get used to it sooner rather than later. I know in the long run it will work but just feel a bit sore and miserable at the moment bbfn
	Rosena