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View Full Version : Need advice/help on boot adaptation (for physical impairment)


Skate@Delaware
12-27-2007, 03:16 PM
Guys,
I just returned from the "pain specialist" a doc that treats severe pain...he has deferred treatment of the pain until the numbness has been dealt with.

Long story short-I have foot drop and weakness that causes my foot to drop (i.e. not flex upwards) and my leg sometimes gives out.

I am getting a brace made (yes I did promise to wear it) but I don't think it will work with my skates (and told him as much). I am trying to figure out someway to help keep my foot from "dropping" out from underneath me, so I can keep skating (he has encouraged me to keep physically active just be smart and use common sense).

Any ideas? I'm not too concerned about looks-after all, I'm almost 46 and still puttering around the rink trying to jump......but it must be easy to use. I was thinking of something that wrapped around my toe/blade and up over the top of my boot somehow....then to the top of my boot but I'm stumped.

My boots fit fairly snug, altho there is room at the top for flexing (yeah not so good at this point).

I hope this makes sense. I'm just trying to avert an unusual number of falls, not normal ones. If I catch my toepick EVERY TIME i skate, he will make me give it up for safety's sake.

Sessy
12-27-2007, 03:42 PM
Maybe I'm thinking too simple here, but have you tried taping your ankle in an 8-shape?

sk8tegirl06
12-27-2007, 04:06 PM
I have no idea how well these would work with figure skates, but my dad tried them for awhile with regular shoes/sneakers to help with foot drop. He had the first one pictured. The thing around the ankle is velcro and the other part attaches to shoe/skate laces.

http://www.x-strap.com/

Skate@Delaware
12-27-2007, 04:15 PM
Maybe I'm thinking too simple here, but have you tried taping your ankle in an 8-shape?
Yes I did and it did not give me enough support (front/baack), whether I taped inside or outside the boot.
I have no idea how well these would work with figure skates, but my dad tried them for awhile with regular shoes/sneakers to help with foot drop. He had the first one pictured. The thing around the ankle is velcro and the other part attaches to shoe/skate laces.

http://www.x-strap.com/
This might work! I don't see why they would not work with skates (although they say no to high top shoes), and I can still bend at my ankle.

Thanks! I will mull it over....