Right foot and ankle turning with and without AFO

[memarc1120]

Does anyone have the problem with foot drop and your foot wanting to turn on it’s side and you ending up walking on your side of the foot for a step or two?!! Also same leg as the foot. The knee buckled and hyperextended?? I’m a unique mess!! Lol

[Kenu]

Good morning 😃 My right ankle turns in a little and will roll with out brace. It’s gotten better thru the years as I think my brace has helped straighten it out little. I do go without it around the house but need to be careful. I have been wearing a Turbomed ufo for the last three years and it has helped. You can adjust it to turn your ankle the way you want it to go and I think that helps👍. Ken 🐾🐾

[Kenu]

Good morning 😃 My right ankle turns in a little and will roll with out brace. It’s gotten better thru the years as I think my brace has helped straighten it out little. I do go without it around the house but need to be careful. I have been wearing a Turbomed ufo for the last three years and it has helped. You can adjust it to turn your ankle the way you want it to go and I think that helps👍. Ken 🐾🐾

[Hidden]

Hello memarc1120, I found something that I can actually comment (with some experience) on. As of the end of August I underwent surgery for this same issue. Today I’m still walking around in a walking boot that should come off in 4 more weeks.

Now I’m not speculating that we share the same goofy feet...but over the course of 4 years I’ve noticed that I’ve been developing drop-foot and in a weird way my foot started twisting in like a banana. I was continuously rolling my ankle due to this issue and went down several times when I wasn’t paying close attention to my steps. I’ll try to keep this as short & sweet as possible... After a year or so, a few X-Rays & MRI, I was told that there was really nothing that could be done as it was a issue that created due to the MS and lack of strength & control of surrounding muscles. So into an AFO I went.

I wore my AFO for a few months before I decided they would be better suited in a trash can; they really hurt my foot and didn’t appear to be anymore than an immobilization device, which is not what I wanted.

So after 4 years of believing the old theory of “Well it’s MS...hang in there buddy”, I found a orthopedic surgeon that specialized in feet & ankles. I made an appointment with them and in a matter of 2 months I went under the knife. My doctor was very familiar with my issue and why it was happening. I did ask if it was something worth doing, at this late stage, and he explained that although he wished I’d seen him years before, it wasn’t too late - just added a little more work to the procedure.

If interested in the complete process just let me know. I saving a ramble if you’re not really interested in this process.

Best of luck,

Jeff

[memarc1120 in reply to Hidden]

That sounds very interesting and yes tell me more. You hit the nail on the head!!

[Hidden in reply to memarc1120]

So this sounds worse than it really was but I want you to know exactly what was done if you were interested in discussing with a Orthopaedic surgeon.

As I understand it (looking down at the top of your foot), there are two main tendons (or ligaments) that start on the top middle of the foot and travel diagonally (towards the toes) down the foot and around the bottom. The function of these are to equally help with keeping the foot pointed straight and to keep it from rolling one way or the other. My problem was that the inside tendon (or ligament) was tightening (or shortened) while the outside one had done the opposite. You can start to see why my foot had been turning in like a banana... #1. The surgeon made two incisions on the top of my foot to “release” (lengthen) the inside tendon and tighten the outside tendon.

Because I continued for so long to walk on the outside of my foot there was a hard fatty tumor that had formed and continued to grow to a size equivalent to my big toe - which was my body trying to protect itself naturally... #2. One incision along the very side of my foot to remove it and clean up.

#3. The same process was done on both sides of my ankle, due to being constantly over-stressed/stretched, and to correct the problem.

#4. A few small incisions were made on the rear ankle to “release” my Achilles’ tendon from being so tight, for so long.

Now because of the banana effect... #5. The surgeon basically cut a large portion (horizontally) of my heal bone off to move over slightly towards the outside of my foot and secured it with two screws. Not sure I’m drawing a clear picture of that part but I can definitely see a major improvement towards a “straight foot”.

Hard to believe, by the description, but this was all done in a surgery center as an outpatient procedure. I got to go home after a few hours in recovery.

Doctor had casted my foot (up to the knee) and I was ordered to stay off of it completely for 4 weeks. From there they removed cast and placed me into a walking boot, still non weight-bearing but I was able to clean the foot daily and apply a topical ointment to the incisions. After 3 weeks of that more X-rays were taken and I was released to start applying weight, while walking, in the boot. After 5 weeks (3 more for me) the boot will come off and I’ll start the process of weight-bearing and rehab.

A very lengthy message I apologize for but I wanted to give you the best picture I could. If this sounds similar to your problem I would urge you to seek out an Orthopaedic surgeon to discuss this with them. I will say again, it sounds worse than it really is, but I can already notice a major difference in my foot being straight again. Wish I had done this a few years back!

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Hidden]

Hidden I appreciate your answer! And glad that you got the surgery! To bad more Drs arnt aware of this. When my foot drop happened, my Drs were surprised of my research and the paper work. I had also been in contact with a surgeon in Texas about it. But they kept telling me it would go away.

I'm so glad you pushed! 🤗💕🌠

[Hidden in reply to Jesmcd2]

Thanks Jesmcd2!

I believe there’s a fine line of defining foot-drop and deformation caused by MS. As you know, it’s become the easy answer to tell us it’s “symptoms of MS” and prescribe us PT.

I hope you’re doing well.

[memarc1120 in reply to Hidden]

That sounds perfect. What state are you in cause I am in Michigan and would love to look for a doctor locally. I also go to the VA in AnnArbor for most of my care, since all my meds were so high!!

[Hidden in reply to memarc1120]

I’m actually in Southern California. Ironic you mention Ann Arbor...my son is committed to play football at U-M upon graduating from high school in May.

I would definitely do some research through the VA as I know my father, who lives in Missouri, swears by the level of care he gets from the VA in Columbia, MO.

And more importantly, Thank You for you service!

[memarc1120 in reply to Hidden]

Ty for your answers. Your son hopefully will like/love U of M. Sorry to say that I never was a fan!! U of M is where I worked last as a nurse on the VAST team. (IV’s and PICC LINES) I will check out the VA and maybe St. Joes in AnnArbor

[goatgal]

My feet have a tendency to roll to the outside and I have foot drop as well, particularly on the left. A long ago PT recommended that I do exercises daily to keep the strength up. I stand at a kitchen counter for stability, and stand on my tip toes, 15 times, twice a day. It's no cure, but it hasn't worsened either.

[memarc1120 in reply to goatgal]

I can’t even stand on my toes and all my issues are on the right. Isn’t it weird how stuff effects us. Just MS. As Jeff said like doctors and PT/OT people have said!! Lol

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to memarc1120]

Hi memarc1120 I have had it going on forever now. It's not caused by...

Back surgeries

MS

Or neck injury 🤣😂🤣

It just happened an welcome to my world! 😔 I have braces from hanger and they don't give Alot of support. Just lift the foot.

🤗💕🌠

[mrsmike9]

Have not had this proble (yet) but it really sounds like you've had wonderful advice! So glad!