Richie brace

[sayadia]

I got a Richie brace yesterday for  my foot drop. This thing is miserable. Does anyone else use one and of so how long does it take to stop feeling like your leg is in a midevil torture device. I did like the Dr said and used for 1 hour yesterday and 2 today. I sure dont see myself being able to use it all day tomorrow. Any advice?

[gooddays]

How is it going with your brace?

Zulma

[gooddays]

Hi, I have been a member of the Forum for a long time, but had not posted for a long time until last week.

Wearing any kind of brace is not easy, but it is a matter of getting used to.  I wore the same you were fitted for about a year and then my physiatrist prescribed for both my legs one called Matrix Max distributed by www.trulife.com.  I had to be fitted by an orthotist and have physical therapy in order to walk with them.  It was hard, but they make me walk better and I seem less (drunk LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!).  Even though I wear my braces all the time, I still need to use canadian crutches or two canes to avoid any falls.  I also have a walker and an electric scooter.

Like Sunnytoday, I do not wear them at home.  It has been a year since I was fitted and started wearing them, and for the time being I will keep wearing them, as I have no other choice.  These are very expensive, I do not know how much you paid for yours.  My insurance company did not pay a cent to help me out.  It all came out of my pocket.

Sunnytoday, also told you to wear a bigger size of shoe in order for it to feel comfortable and to avoid any damage to your foot, I don't think we need anything else.

Like I say, when I used the Richie, I wore them even while I was home.  My recommendation is to where them like your doctor instructed you and before you know it, you will be used to it.

Please keep us up to date as your getting use process comes along.  I would be looking forward to reading about it.

Take care,

Zulma

[Sunnytoday]

HI there, if I get this right this is similar to an AFO's but not quite?

http://www.lehneis.com/news/FALL2002_Richie_Brace.asp

So, does yours look like this picture? My AFO's took a while to get used to. At first they hurt, so I had to go back to the place where I got them and have them adjusted, so they didn't rub anyplace, etc. It took me a few months actually before I felt like I could wear them all day, and still.... when I do wear them all day I feel like I've run a marathon, partly because I often just wear them when I'm out and about which is tiring to me, and not when I'm at home (i slide about in my socks at home which I know is NOT good for me). You sorta get used to wearing them  so wearing them one day and not the next isn't a good idea like me. I just had some problems with swelling and sores so I wasn't wearing them like I should. :) this week i've been better about wearing them every day.

have you found socks and shoes to wear with them? I found cool long socks at Target that work with braces, and are much cheaper than the ones you have to buy from the orthotics place, and they are all colors. Also, if you have to wear shoes with these Richie braces, I was told to buy shoes a size bigger and wider than I normally wear and to always pull the soles out. That sometimes works but I just have to take my braces with me when buying shoes becuase it always varies on what they will actually COMFORTABLY fit in. The shoe makes a BIG difference in whether the brace feels like it's torture or comfort.

Good luck!!
~Sunnytoday~

[doni54]

Hi Sayadia,

Sorry, but I don't know anything about the Richie brace and don't remember if it's been discussed on here or not.  I'm sure someone has experience with this and will come on and let you know what they think.

Just wanted to send you good vibes and hope you can get this thing to work properly for you.  

Take care,
doni