Do Nordic Walking Poles help for CMT drop foot?

[TC43]

I have the drop foot type CMT. The muscle on the top of my foot which is used to launch forward when you walk really does not work well any more. It is very tiring to walk because my legs have to do all the work. Has anyone with this same condition tried Nordic Walking Poles? And has it helped you? Thanks so much!

[PRseam]

Two years ago I got AFO’s (ankle foot orthotics) to take care of the foot drop and they are working very well for me. I walk 5 to 7 miles a day, every day. I can’t walk around the block without them on.

[TC43 in reply to PRseam]

Dear PRseam - Thank you for sharing this info.

After reading your remarks I searched out AFO's on the internet. The sole portion of the AFO appears rigid - is this correct? If so how can your foot roll as you walk? The reason I ask is that I have had a number of rigid orthotics and they make it more difficult for me to walk because they are rigid and my foot cannot roll forward, my foot just slaps down onto the ground. I find it is easiest to walk with super thin flexible soles. This allows me to "feel" the ground and better keep my balance.

I do not think my foot drop is severe enough at this time to use the AFO's, but there certainly may come a time when I need to consider this.

Thanks again for your comments - wow - you walk 5-7 miles every day! I struggle to walk one mile because my legs have to do all the work and they get tired quickly. Maybe I just need to work hard at it to increase my mileage.

[PRseam in reply to TC43]

My AFO’s are carbon fiber and flex and spring to actually propel my body forward. They are made by Ottobock and are called WalkOn Reaction. (A very appropriate name). For years I did not walk much because I would trip and fall all the time. I am 72 years old and have osteoporosis so falling is very bad. Two of my brothers and my sister have them. I am sorry that I did not get them years ago.

[spabbygirl]

I don't know, but I use one crutch in my right hand, its a really good one as it has a cuff around your upper arm which makes it easier to hold cos my hands aren't very strong and it has a large part that touches the floor, the tread part, which I always find keeps mes table. I would worry with walking poles that the tread was too narrow which I always find makes me unstable and also the grip for the hands might not be very easy.

[TC43 in reply to spabbygirl]

Yes - the crutch would for sure offer more stability.

The walking poles have a much smaller "foot" and offers limited balance. I am considering walking poles to help propel me forwards and just wondered if they would do the job.

Thanks again spabbygirl for you thoughts and suggestions. Have a great day!

[Amanita]

Hi, TC43,

Well I tried ordinary walking poles , but it was to help with balance in the days before I had to admit to disability and start using elbow crutches. The poles made my weak wrists tired.

By then I was using elastic-and velcro supports for foot drop. They were difficult for me to put on and worked up to a point - but didn't help much with ankle stability.

Now I have rigid plastic AFOs (and NHS ankle boots). The toe-end of the sole of the AFOs is flexible. But they do nothing at all to help propel me forward. Walking is very hard work indeed and extremely slow.

Best of luck with your research and I hope you'll find something that helps you. From what I understand you use all 4 limbs to keep you going forward when using Nordic poles, so it might be very efficient. Depends on your strength and energy.

[TC43 in reply to Amanita]

Thanks Amanita!

Yes, I will go ahead and try the walking poles. I only have a balance problem when I am standing still. When I am walking, my balance is okay.

Regarding AFO's, yes you are the second person who mentioned them. I will for sure be needing them in the future but in the mean time I will try to keep exercising as much as I can.

For you, biking would be good. You can get those toe straps that help keep your foot on the pedal. I have used them for years and they work really well. Make sure you get the large ones so that your foot can sit deep enough onto the pedal.

Wishing you the best!

[Amanita in reply to TC43]

Thanks, TC43,

I do hope they'll work and help you get some forward momentum. I'm glad your balance when walking is OK, at least.

Cycling - well, I did use a bicycle for many years, and I'm sure it (plus Sunday walks with my husband) helped with keeping me exercised and mobile. But even in my teens when cycling the 3 flattish miles to school, I'd always arrive sweaty, tired and out of breath. For many years I did short rides to the shops, but gave up 20 years ago. More recently I tried a cycling machine in a gym for a while. No fun at all, with no scenery going by, and surrounded by unsociable fitness fanatics!

For exercise I climb my stairs when not needing to carry anything, and walk the 100 yards to the end of the road ( 2 crutches, 4 minutes) and then back, and do a little very limited gardening (1 crutch needed for balance). When serious distances (over 200 yds) need to be covered I use my power chair - or drive.

I guess I may be older than you...

If you do try Nordic Walking it will be really good to know how you get on.

All the best!

[TC43 in reply to Amanita]

Well Amanita it sounds like you still keep pretty active - good for you. Keep it up.

... Trudy

[TC43]

Here is an update - I have had the walking poles for about 8 weeks and I would highly recommend them to anyone with the type of CMT that causes dropfoot (the muscle on the top of my foot, the one you use to walk and "launch" your body forwards, is extremely weak, therefore your legs have to do all the work). I can use the walking poles to help me launch and move forwards. When you use walking poles it is very easy to keep an upright posture and look straight ahead. Using the poles while walking improves both my movement and posture. I highly recommend using these. Have a great day!

..... Trudy

[Amanita]

Hooray, Trudy!

That is great news. It's good that you have been using them for a fair length of time so it's not just a first reaction. Maybe other people here will be encouraged to try them now.

Did you have to spend time getting used to them?

I hope you have some beautiful scenery to enjoy as you walk; there must be plenty in Canada. That would be good for the soul as well as the muscles.