AFOs - A Down To Earth Guide on Ankle Foot Orthoses and Orthopedic Braces - Part 16

A Note To Medical Professionals Ordering a C.R.O.W.

Sometimes in the medical industry, medical professionals will refer to these orthoses as "CROW Boots", "Diabetic Walkers", "Charcot Boots" etc. These are incorrect terms for this device and in an effort to be more precise, this needs to be understood. You may have a clear picture in mind when you use these terms, but as an ordering individuals you might not be expressing yourself as clearly as you think. If you are an ordering APN (advanced practioner nurse), P.A. (physician's assistant) or physician, you might see why it is redundant to refer to one of these devices as a "C.R.O.W. Boot". This is redundant because what you are really saying is "Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker Boot". - You can simply refer to them as a C.R.O.W. and you will be correct. You will also be communicating more efficiently with your local, licensed orthotist who will be providing your patient with orthotic treatment. Isn't that what you would want to be doing anyways?

Instructions That Apply To All Orthopedic Braces - Note To Patients

Whenever a patient uses an orthosis (brace) they need to make sure it is on snug. Your local orthotist will show you what this means for you as a patient. Moreover, it is very important to monitor your skin when it comes to braces as well. - No, you will probably not develop a rash or a sore, but it is a good idea to monitor your skin with whatever you place on your body. For example, the first time a young woman wears earrings, she will probably monitor her skin to make sure nothing is going wrong; although they doubt anything bad could really happen. If you, as a patient, have skin sensitivity issues, then it is extremely important to monitor your skin. Why? Because your skin will tell you how you are feeling and any redness needs to be noted and treated accordingly. Contact your providing orthotist with any concerns about skin irritation with respect to bracing. This last section is more of a word to the wise, instead of being something that you need to very worried about.

Note: This is health information. Bracing scenarios can vary slightly and that is why we would like you to talk with your local, licensed orthotist for medical advice on orthoses (braces). This is good information, but it is best to talk with these brace specialists regarding your connection or need for orthopedic bracing.

AFOs - A Down To Earth Guide on Ankle Foot Orthoses and Orthopedic Braces - Part 12

Detailed Information About PRAFOs

Floating The Heel With A PRAFO

PRAFOs are very important for people because they are very soft on the inside. Now you can start to see where the "pressure relief" part of the acronym comes into play. The cushion can help prevent bedsores from happening for patients. Moreover, if a person has a heel sore, a PRAFO can be a good idea as well because there is usually an open spot where the heel is not touching anything. It is basically "floating", if you will. This "floating of the heel" helps to make sure contact pressures are avoided at this area of heel and this can help to facilitate healing as a result.

How PRAFOs Help To Avoid Contractures

Another positive thing about the use of a PRAFO is that they can help to eliminate a contracted foot and ankle. Sometimes, if you have noticed, when you lay down, your toes start to point in a downward direction. Once this happens, you will also notice that your heel is up in comparison. A foot that stays in this position can develop a contracture and this is not ideal for patients. - The PRAFO will help to keep the foot and ankle in a neutral alignment.

What's The Bar For On The Back of Many PRAFOs?

Lastly, a PRAFO will have a bar that rests on the back of the device. This bar can swing either left or right and can serve as a lever that will stop the feet from being "windswept". When you do not want your foot to always be pointing in when you lay down, then this bar can be something that prevents this foot and ankle posture from happening.

As a recap, the three positive things that PRAFOs do for patient are:

1.) Help to Prevent Bed Sores
2.) Help patients to maintain a neutral alignment at the foot and ankle (avoiding plantar flexion contractures.
3.)Help patients to avoid swinging their feet (excessive toe in or toe out, or supination and pronation avoidance).

A Note To Medical Professionals Regarding PRAFOs

Try and check the heel of the patient before assuming that the PRAFO is donned correctly, if and when you apply one. Based off of the information we just talked about, one of the main purposes of a PRAFO is to help avoid ankle contractures. - Just because a PRAFO is on a patient does not mean that it is on correctly. Do the patient a favor and make sure their heel is down and back inside of the brace as much as possible. A plantarflexed foot is easily disguised inside of a PRAFO, if you we as health care professionals do not pay close enough attention. It may be an honest mistake, but it can be a mistake that the patient has to pay for longterm if the heel is not well seated.

Moreover, remember, if you call a PRAFO an AFO, you might turn around and find out your patient has a traditional style AFO (made from plastic, or metal and leather). When you order an AFO from an orthotics company realize that when you say, "AFO", you should clarify to the brace specialist if the patient is walking or not. Just remember that PRAFOs are typically for bed bound patients and AFOs are typically used for patients to help them walk better again. This will help your patients get what they need more efficiently.

* Note: This is health information. When you need to get medical advice regarding bracing then it is best to speak with your local, licensed orthotist. This is good information, but since each brace scenarios can vary, we suggest you talk with a brace specialist for medical advice.

AFOs - A Down To Earth Guide on Ankle Foot Orthoses and Orthopedic Braces - Part 7

How Long Do I Wear The AFO For?

Usually AFOs are to be worn when a person is sitting or standing and/or walking. Typically, people do not wear a traditional AFO while they are in bed, because these brace are typically used for walking. In terms of how long wear the brace, for long term usage, it might be best to talk with your physician about this. Many patient's need to use an ankle foot orthosis indefinitely depending on the state of their diagnosis while others can discard them after a short time.

Take Home Points For Medical Professionals Ordering a Brace

Many times, an orthotist will get a script from a physician that will say "Leg Brace", "Walking boot" or "AFO Brace". Although, this gets the orthotist's mind started in the right direction it is actually still quite a vague request. As the ordering individual, you might know exactly what you want for the patient, but it is best to use the right terms when ordering an orthosis. If you use unrecognized terminology, you are just asking for the orthotist to call you for clarification. Moreover, using the term "AFO brace" is a misnomer as well. The medical term "orthosis" means brace, therefore, when a doctor or APN requests an "AFO Brace" this is actually a redundant statement. As a result, this phrase alone (AFO Brace) may trigger a phone call from your local orthotist. Why? Because you are in effect requesting an "ankle foot brace brace". We mean all of this in a positive sense and hope that it helps you in your future when ordering these braces for your patients.

Other Braces For The Foot & Ankle - Very Important!

The Difference Between Traditional AFOs & PRAFOs - Medical Professionals, Please Read This Carefully

What Are PRAFOs?

There are other braces for the ankle and foot that exist, which are referred to as PRAFOs. Yes, the PRAFO acronym ends in AFO, but traditional AFOs and PRAFOs are very different. The acronym PRAFO stands for "Pressure Relief Ankle Foot Orthosis". PRAFOs are typically used for people that are not walking currently. A traditional AFO is meant for someone that is ambulating. Very big difference! - The patients who use a PRAFO are typically in bed or in a wheel chair. Although many PRAFOs might have tread on the bottom of them, this is meant for a quick transfer from a bed to a wheel chair, or some movement of this nature. PRAFOs are typically not thought of as a brace that patient's walk in.

Note: This information is health based. Remember that each bracing scenario is different, so if you need medical advice regarding braces then speak with your local, licensed orthotist.

AFOs - A Down To Earth Guide on Ankle Foot Orthoses and Orthopedic Braces - Part 14

Why CAM Walkers Work

CAM walkers usually limit motion at the site of a patient's foot and ankle. (This is why there are considered in this series to be an ankle foot orthosis, although not the traditional type.) This limitation of movement happens with a rigid plantar surface (the surface underneath a patient's foot) and with ankle uprights that help to inhibit movement. When unwanted ankle and foot movements are avoided, a patient has a higher degree of likelihood that they will heal properly. Why? - When a fracture at the foot or ankle is not moving and being aggravated then the body has a better chance of healing itself.

How can a fracture or injury such as a sprain or fracture be aggravated?

The answer is simple, with movement. The wrong movement. For example, in a normal gain cycle, you will notice that your ankle and foot need to move dynamically in order to adapt to the floor and allow for a patient's body to move forward in space. Now consider walking the distance of 100 meters. The repetition of movement at the injury site can be a severe problem. You might think to yourself that if a person could just be careful enough they would not need a brace like this CAM walker stated here. The reality is that the patient only needs to forget one time and then the injury can be worse as a result. Do you know anybody that likes going back to "square one" when they are trying to heal? - We think you know the answer to this question.

CAM Walkers & The Use of a Rocker Bottom

You will also see that there is something called a "rocker bottom" located on the bottom of a CAM walker. You may wonder what a rocker bottom can do for a patient when it is part of a brace. Rocker bottoms are used to help induce a more fluid gait pattern, when you take away normal ankle and foot motion. In the case of CAM walkers, you are taking away ankle and foot motion for a good reason. As a result, people will benefit many times from a rocker bottom. on the device so it will smooth out movement.

Note: This is health information. Orthopedic bracing scenarios can vary slightly, so it is best to get medical advice on bracing and orthotics from your local, licensed orthotist (brace specialist). This is good information, but we can not cover ever patient care situation.

Sore Neck? How to Get Neck Pain Relief

I have learned of an amazing discovery concerning neck pain relief. Have you ever wonder why you experience a sore neck? You might have picked up something and turned your head slightly, slept wrong, or maybe you suffered a sports injury, these are just a few things that might be cause of neck pain, but wait what this doctor has discovered.

Through many studies and test our body plays tug of war virtually every day causing muscle imbalances within our body. This is true for the neck also, which causes our neck muscles to be weaker on one side of our neck than the other. And what is the first thing we do when we experience this pain? We start taking pain pills!

When you go to a chiropractor to adjust your neck it feels great for a few days and then wow, sharp pains in your neck again. Most doctors will miss what is the underlying factor that is really causing your neck pain. They may try cortisone shots, electric stimulation, anti-inflammatory drugs, and even surgery. If you are wondering why doctors are missing the cause of neck pain, it is because medical school never taught these principles.

This new technique was created by Dr. Paris is one of the only chiropractor in the world today who teaches these principles with a success rate of 93%. He is owner of Advanced Spine and Wellness Center and has over 240 hours of post-graduate training in spinal biomechanics.

The system is explained totally about muscle imbalances and how to relief your neck pain. Dr. Paris system is called "Lose the Neck Pain?" and it comes with a step-by-step walk through with a self assessment because he knows that each individual is different. After you do your self diagnosis, then you will be assigned certain corrective exercises which are specific to your condition. Once you have corrected the imbalance in your neck muscles, you will have eliminated your pain.

How long does it take to get relief? It is hard to say how long it will take to get relief, since every person is different it will depend on how long you have had the condition, the severity of it, which will determine the length of time for relief. It usually will take between 3 to 6 weeks for you to gain strength back in your neck, but you will notice some relief almost immediately.

For more information about this amazing discovery, visit " Pain In My Back " and click on neck pain.

Simple TMJ Pain Relief Techniques

TMJ disorders are very stressful and there are many situations when a patient is willing to die out of starvation than bear the pain that comes with opening the mouth to eat. Actually, some patients get so addicted to painkillers to the point of almost losing their mind in the quest to relieve the headaches associated with TMJ dysfunction. However, it is possible to get TMJ relief, and in several ways.

TMJ pain relief can be addressed through professional care, self-administration, and neuromuscular dentistry. It is important to note that some of these pain relief procedures offer a temporary solution but do nothing on the root source of the problem. Therefore, TMJ disorder may persist.

Self Care Relief:

It involves doing some exercises to relieve the discomfort. Here are the steps.

Using your tongue, reach for the top part of the mouth while opening it as wide as you can. Breathe in slowly for about 10 seconds while still holding the tongue. Relax the tongue to its usual place for a few seconds and repeat the process 10 times.

Another method is acupressure at home. This method is different from acupuncture as it does not involve needles. You will need help from an expert in this field to direct you to your Hegu Point (between the thumb and fore finger) where you will need to apply pressure to ease the discomfort.

Professional Treatment:

There are several Orthodontic procedures that are effective in dealing with TMJ syndrome. A dentist can offer mandible repositioning to correct misaligned jaws through rearranging the bridges and crowns. More so, he or she can prescribe supplements like Magnesium and Calcium to restore proper TMJ muscle functionality.

Neuromuscular Dentistry:

This method tries to deal with the root issue of the problem. This branch of medicine is more concerned with realigning muscles, nerves and tendons that are associated with TMJ to correct the uneven bite responsible for the problem.

There are many other therapeutic approaches towards relieving TMJ disorders, but the best option is to go for a more permanent solution to deal with symptoms and root causes.

Simple Everyday Pain Relievers: Your Home's Best Massage Chair

Pain is broadly defined as a distressed signal of the body that something is either broken or not functioning normally. Physically, it can manifest through a range of things, namely a throbbing pain, a sore kind of pain, a stinging kind of pain, an aching kind of pain and many more. What is common through all these feelings is the feeling of uneasiness, albeit at different degrees. Pain in its core and its is essence is uneasy and discomforting, but at the same time may be an understatement to just describe it this way. The most intense degrees of physical pain is so great that it may cause one to faint or it may entail the use of painkillers such as painkilling drugs and anaesthesia.

There are two major kinds of pain: the physical and the emotional pain. Medically speaking the pain that is more recognized and treated is the physical pain. This is because as mentioned, physical pain can bring great agitation to the point of fainting.

Physical pain can be caused by many things. As earlier mentioned, when a body part is not functioning properly or when is broken, there is usually pain. This is because scientifically, pain serves as a signal to the brain that something is wrong. It is one of the built-in response mechanisms of human beings that protect them from harmful stimulus. Many may resent pain, but one could just imagine the world without physical pain, people would not be able to tell when their hands are broken or burning.

However, with this underlying benefit of pain comes the heavy price of having to endure it. Fortunately, innovations in medicine have created a branch that deals with pain management-this is called algiatry. Algiatry is the branch of medicine that deals with and cures pain, thus easing the discomfort caused by it. It deals with both the drug-related methods of curing pain, and with other more sophisticated methods such as anaesthesia. There is even a team that specializes in managing pain, and this-much like a typical team that you would see in a hospital operating room or in an ambulance-is composed of medical practitioners who specialize in aiding pain, nurses and paramedics.

Not all physical pain however has to end up in the hospital. Sometimes domestic remedies may be sought after as an alternative to the more expensive and more serious pain-relieving operations available in the hospital.

For instance, after a long tiring day at work, there may be a bit of soreness in key areas such as your back and your neck. It would not deem very practical to go to a hospital for this kind of minor pain, thus people in the house may resort to more minor means of treating pain. This may include the intake of oral pain relievers in the form of tablets, or even just a simple relaxing position on your favorite and your best massage chair. This simple act of sitting down on your best massage chair may be enough to ease the minor soreness you experience.