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Splints? ... 'affo and daffo'

27 replies

MABS · 03/09/2003 18:42

Have no idea if that's spelt correctly and to be honest am gutted at the moment. Have today been to physio and been told that ds, 3 next month, needs to be fitted with 2 daffo splints for feet and one affo type for left foot only.

It took me by surprise as previously we'd been told it was very unlikely he'd need them as he was walking so well, despite his mild left hemi.

I now have a million questions mainly relating to how do children accept these on them? Do they really help that much as he seemed to be coping ok. Do you wear 'normal' shoes over them? How long are they worn for? Is it ok for him to wear it at nursery? sorry to be a pain but any advice greatfully recvd. thanks

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doormat · 03/09/2003 19:03

Hi Mabs,
My ds has splints, I have no idea what they are called but they are a moulded plastic in the shape of his leg and running down to just over his toes.

There is a thread on splints in the special needs section with some excellent advice. re long socks so the moulding doesnt rub on leg.

Hope this helps.

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MABS · 03/09/2003 19:07

thanks doormat - i'll read it with interest.

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Blu · 03/09/2003 20:27

Hi Mabs: not sure of the condition / circumstances which surrounds your appointment with the physio, but in case it helps,this is the experience I have. My ds, now just 2, wears an AFO (ankle/foot orthotic) which means splint in any other language. He has one for daytime and another, less rigid, for night. They have been very carefully made and fitted for comfort and he has never objected (and he's a pretty feisty character), tho' he is younger than your ds, and has worn one since 14 months. We have always managed to find high street shoes that fit on top, generally ankle height trainer types. Last winter he wore Clarke's ankle boots with a velcro fastening across the front, sandals have been harder because we have found that the ankle height is much better for fastening securely. You'll need to go from the orthotists to the shoeshop to get shoes that fit on top, so don't go splashing out in the meantime! He wears 100% cotton socks underneath.

He wears the splint all the time he's out and about, unless we take his shoes off for a bouncy castle etc, it isn't at all complicated, just fastens with velcro straps, and his childminder has no difficulties with it.

You (he!) might get a choice of funky designs on the plastic, so far we have had teddies, racing cars and dolphins! Or you can choose a plain colour.

When you go to get them fitted, ask the orthotist to put non-slip soles on them: the plastic is quite slippery and if ds takes of his shoes, or gets out of bed and walks around in his splints, it helps make sure they don't skid.

Don't know if it's the same for your ds, but the splints have helped make a big difference to my ds's feet, holding the soft tissue in the right position as the foot grows. (He has a missing fibula, talipes - or clubfoot - type foot position and part of his foot missing, and had surgery last year to enable him to put his foot to the floor).

Won't be on the board much over the next few days, but if you've got more q's that you think I might be able to help with, just say!

Good luck

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MABS · 04/09/2003 09:24

Thanks Blu - this is exactly the sort of thing i need to hear. To clarify , he has mild left hemiplegic cp, but currently his arm seem 'ok'

d'you know, when they talk about a small dafo for the foot - does it come very far up the leg?

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Oakmaiden · 04/09/2003 13:06

there are some pictures of DAFO's online.

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mieow · 04/09/2003 13:27

DS has DAFO's on both legs and he handles them very well. DD1 has AFOs with she also tolerates well. DS refuses to wear shoes without them as he knows they help him walk. DS' DAFOs go up to his knees which means youcan't hide them but DD1 has small ones that fit to just above her ankles and we hide them with socks.
Am a bit gutted this week too, as we were told on MOnday that DS will not be able to wear normal shoes without DAFOS until he is an adult. DD1, they think will come out of hers when she is a bit bigger.

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doormat · 04/09/2003 13:36

That's them.
Thanx for that oakmaiden.

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mieow · 06/09/2003 22:31

Oh forgot to add that DSs splints are hinged too.

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misdee · 06/09/2003 23:25

oh no!!!! connors legs are on teh floor!! (remember that one mieow) lol.

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mieow · 07/09/2003 08:38

LOL...........to explain, everyone, my niece was here and I took DS splints off and DN screamed " OH NO!!!!Connors legs are on the floor" LOLOLOLOLOL

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doormat · 07/09/2003 08:59

Mabs, my ds's dafos come up to about an inch below his knee. If they irritate or rub I was told they will cut them down.

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MABS · 17/09/2003 20:34

First measurement appt for the splints tomorrow morning - I feel sick

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fio2 · 17/09/2003 20:46

dont feel sick MABS it will be fineSmile my dd has casts for her insoles and yes it it isnt nice for her but it doesnt hurt honest let us know how he gets on

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chatee · 17/09/2003 20:52

Mabs,
don't worry to much about it as your ds will pick up on your anxiety.
try and prepare your ds before you go in-explain a bit about the moulding of the plaster on his legs-my dd( who was 3 in august)thinks it's great fun washing her legs and making them white-even more fun splashing around in a bucket of water afterwards and getting the orthotist wet.Also the magic pencil drawing on her legs and ankles-no other children at nursery have this(until last week when 3 of them copied my dd's legs and covered themselves with pen marks )
It can be a bit messy-good luck tomorrow.
Remember to choose a picture to go on the back of the splints if they are up his leg-it makes it easier for the children to wear them if they have something they like-my dd so far has had two lots of tweetie pie and now has lola bunny(girlfriend of bugs-or so i am led to believe by the orthotist)-the orthotist is on a mission to find some barbie transfers suitable before dd needs her next lot as she was a very disgruntled customer last time
ps:reading this post kind of gives away my daughters anonymity(sp?)so if you ever spot us from this description say hello!!!whoever you are

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Blu · 18/09/2003 11:37

What is the main thing making you feel sick, Mabs? is it because you thought he didn't need them, or the process itself?
I have been feeling a bit remiss cos I didn't go into the casting process in my earlier post, but as Chattee says, it's not generally traumatic, and all the orthotists we've seen are full of child-friendly tricks as described below.
The only thing that has caused DS slight anxiety is the cutting off of the cast with big scissors once it has dried. But on the whole he has found the process most fascinating, and it dries REALLY quickly.
Let us know how you get on,

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GRMUM · 18/09/2003 18:44

Mabs I hope everything went well today and that you are feeling at least a bit more reassured about the splints.It must have been a big shock after you had been told that it was unlikely that he'd need them. To be honest nobody should have said anything like that to you because although a CP hemiplegia is a static condition medically, (ie. not progressive) the effects whilst a child is growing can change the picture temporarily. It maybe that ds has gone through a growth spurt and his left leg isn't quite weight bearing as well as it was in the past.Bones tend to lengthen first and then the muscles (so called growing pains come from this) so maybe his achilles tendon has become slightly tighter. Correct weight bearing is so vitally important for children like your ds (asI am sure you know)as is symmetry in his body and movements. I'm sorry it has come as a shock to you, and I am also sure that most of what I've said is old news to you.As for ds he'll take it all in his stride. Most kids seem to worry about these things less than us mums. Love GRMUM (neuro. physio.)

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MABS · 18/09/2003 21:04

Thanks to all for the messages of support and advice. Today went very smoothly for the first drawings, plastering bit next Wednesday.

Blu - think i'm so gutted about the splints because we were virtually promised by his pead that he wouldn't need them. I thought he was doing so very well, and was shocked when we were given the news. Then, surprise surprise, I got involved in a lot of unneccessary beaurocracy about when and where this was to happen - whole thing has been a bl**dy mess. In the middle of it all my wonderful physio left me to have twins !! and our new one is a bit wet...

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Blu · 22/09/2003 11:22

All fingers crossed for Wednesday.
I can understand why you feel so upset: will the splints be a means to an end, and not needed once they have done their work, or are they envisaged as permanent?
I feel very strong and matter of fact about DS's leg/foot most of the time, but I was at a conference this w/e and looked across the room at a man who was wearing a shirt which had the exact same dolphin pattern as DS's current splint, and it made me well up.
Having looked up the daffo's on the weblink, they seem to eradicate many of the disadvantages of DS's ridgid splints, so I don't think they will be too hard to live with.

Good luck.

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MABS · 30/09/2003 20:57

Well - we get them Friday afternoon, blue ones wih planes on. Will let u know how it goes.

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MABS · 04/11/2003 20:24

well guys , here's the update.... We've had them a month and today saw a new physio at a new hospital as we have moved house. She basically, and very nicely, said she didn't think they were right for ds, she's now ordered piedro boots!

What a total waste of time and NHS money. She's also talking about botox for him but there's a long wait round here. Anyone know if you can go private, how much? Sorry for recent absence but have been in Dubai for 10 days Do hope you are all well.

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MABS · 10/11/2003 09:57

Anyone any advice on this one? thanks

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fio2 · 10/11/2003 10:10

mabs what on piedro boots? My dd has them with the heel cups to keep her feet in place and they are fine - can rub their feet a bit at first though so be warned.

If its about botox then mieow's ds has it so she will be able to fill you inSmile

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mieow · 10/11/2003 11:27

Botox is my speciality!! Ds has had 3 lots of the deadly stuff He has a good deal of movement afterwards. We were referred to the locomotor clinic at GOS, it took about 9 months to be seen, but then a month later he had his 1st lot done. He has had another lot done recently, have to go tomorrow for a checkup
we get seen once a year for the actual botox. but you do have to go a week before, then you have the Botox, then go back again 4 weeks later, then 8 weeks after that. DS is due to be casted soon to get a better result from the Botox, he will be in plaster for 1-2 weeks...
HTH

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babyjjbaby · 09/01/2008 09:14

i wear fabric splints with laces and plastice on the side u do them up with laces and then there is a wrap with velcro u do this up and twist my foot round i had the piedros and inserts butr they didn't really help me i have had these splints for about 2-3 years now and supposed to where them all day but they do annoy me a bit coz theymake ur foot stif but then i wouldn't be able to walk far without them it takes a while to get used to them but bear in mind i was about13 when i had mine i also have ones to go on my wrists but u can't do anything with them on so only put them on when i really need them hope evertyhing goes well for you

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babyjjbaby · 09/01/2008 09:15

oh just realised this is almost 5years ago

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