Trulife Matrix

[KennyInPA]

While I was in Boston in late 2018 seeing Dr.Reza (Neuromuscular, very cool guy!) he had a guy there who specialized in orthotics in the area and let me try on a pair of these. They go right into your shoe and you put the insole over top of them and off you go. With these, knock on wood, I haven't had any falls this year so far in 2019. I wasn't sure at first as I didn't want to depend on them, specifically for the walking testing for the MIN-102 trial. BUT Even without them I can still walk fairly well. I wore them with the shorts and I look like a soccer goalie who forgot to take off his shin guards..Haha They help with drop foot as when you pick up, everything picks up. You start the lean forward that you are going to fall, they give you about an extra 2 seconds to catch yourself. (Something I didn't have before).

I had my family doctor prescribe them and went to a Hanger Clinic (which are scattered around the US, not sure about other countries). The only downfall is that these are made with a carbon material and it sets off alarms at Wal-Mart and some other stores. You get stares like you are stealing things. But hey it's a fair trade off!

Here is the website to check it out:

trulife.com/product/matrix/

[Magnolia209]

I also have a similar pair of these and they do improve my posture and walking. I’m not able to wear them for very long though and not able to drive with them. Just wondering if you have the same issues?

[KennyInPA in reply to Magnolia209]

I have been able to wear mine pretty much all day with no issues. I am able to drive in them as well, however that gets some getting used to. Been a great aid though no doubt!

[Aaron98 in reply to KennyInPA]

I tried these out last year at a Hanger Clinic. I found them quite uncomfortable, as the rigid frame kept rubbing against my soles and ankles. I'm pleased to hear that you like them, though!

[KennyInPA in reply to Aaron98]

Yes! At the beginning they rubbed the back of my shoes quite badly and it did make it uncomfortable. In a few weeks they were worked into my shoes and now I have no rubbing or issues. I expect with a new pair of shoes it will return, but I'm still for trading that for the added stability it has given me.

[monkeybus]

Carbon fibre. Surely the only orthoses worth the trouble. How much do they cost, though.

[KennyInPA in reply to monkeybus]

They are very light weight and you don't even notice they are there. It appears retail is about US $500 per shoe, so $1,000 total. They also gave me custom insoles shaped to my feet which help as well. Total billed to insurance was about $2500, in which they thankfully paid for it all.

[monkeybus in reply to KennyInPA]

Lucky. I've often considered road testing some plastic ones just to see if they are worth it. I'd have to pay out of pocket. No problem, anything to stay on two legs.

[KennyInPA in reply to monkeybus]

Now I have had a few close calls where I almost fell. But what they do is give you a few extra seconds to tell yourself you are falling, you better do something about it! (Something AMN seems to take away from us.)