Walking

[Suebee]

Any retail forearm crutch showrooms out there?

Dave, do you know if there are retail locations to try out these forearm crutches? My PT this year had me try walking sticks to see how I did, and I exerted a lot of energy swinging. Although it helped my balance, my arms got incredibly fatigued and my core started to falter. Also it wasn't able to let me shift enough weight from my hips to pole. PT said forearm crutch allowed for better transfer of weight and would help take pressure of my my weak hip flexors and core but she said they generally don't like to prescribe forearm crutches to someone who can stand unassisted and has leg movement to walk because they think walking sticks are better. I went to medical supply store to try a forearm crutch and all they had was a very clunky utilitarian type forearm model. The sales person adjusted the height for me but it felt very awkward and it didn't seem like it would make me more mobile. Is this a typical scenario for MS patients that can walk but fatigue easy? I can stand unassisted but I walk much less because i tire quickly and my hips will hurt for days afterwards. This has caused a deconditioning cycle for me. It got much worse after my surgery last year, so the person who said walking is important after surgery is spot on. Any ideas?

[ActiveMSers]

jjmagpin, your answer is forearm crutches. They work wonders. When trekking poles no longer offered enough support I switched. An amazing difference. I review them here:

http://activemsers.org/gear/reviewforearmcrutches.html

[jjmagpin]

Walking

Veronica/Teena Marie,

Thanks for posting your conversation.
I am interested in improving my walking. I was diagnosed in 2006 with RRMS and my walking has gotten worse. I used to run marathons and played/coached a lot of hockey. My MS keeps me sidelined from both. What do you use when you walk. (i.e.) what is the most effective brace or assistive device that you use? Currently I use trekking poles/walking sticks but I am assuming that their must be something better. I am going to have an assessment for the walk aid system next week.

[teena marie]

Veronica, great news on your walking. I travelled your route for my honeymoon so I know exactly the terrain. It sounds like you did so well. I agree about getting outside and navigating different terrain and that is part of the plan. What I meant was when it is too hot or icy, etc, I would use my interior space for training. I use 2 sidestix crutches for walking. My biggest obstacles to smooth and fluid gait are left foot drop and weak left hip flexor. I will continue to persevere.

Teena Marie

[Veronica]

Teena Marie, I was coming on the forum now to make a report on this thread and was so happy to see yours. This thread seems to die off at times, and I think it is just an indication of how walking is such a challenge for so many of us. First off, I have great empathy for you now working from home. It is good news/bad news as I see it, as I also often work from home ( not constantly as I think you are reporting here..) Your plan to walk wherever/whenever you can is a good one, and I think it will help you increase your stamina and distance in time. It did for me when I was sidelined after the surgery. I was strongly advised by Herb to also get outside to walk, as the terrain is varied, and adds a needed challenge. So I would suggest you see about finding a way to do that too, before the weather settles in for winter. Do you walk with an aid? A cane, or trekking pole/poles? I have just realized that I walk much more upright, and seem better balanced when I use a single trekking pole ( I have Urban Poling’s Activators…).

This all just came into my focus this past week when I was on such a wonderful vacation visiting several of the US South West National Parks. I used my cane for the trip out, then had the poles which I figured I would need for any little hikes that I wanted to try. What happened was that I really could only use a pole with my left arm as the right one was triggering the rotator cuff which is still healing. So, I thought that I would suffer using just one, but found that this was the best bout of walking that I have done in I don’t know how long.

Each day I broke a PR here, and was delighted to see the “distances” that I covered at the end of the day. I was able to get on and off the shuttle around the Grand Canyon, and take parts of each trail there, recover, and walk well to and from dinner. We visited Antelope Slot Canyon, and I didn’t realize that (1) outside the canyon it is all very soft sand, and (2) one has to WALK through this narrow canyon. I was momentarily afraid of what would happen if I couldn’t do it, but then just went for it. One of the guides, who I asked how far it was inside, jokingly said “2 miles”, then saw the look of terror on my face, and changed that to “about a tenth of a mile…” With the single pole this was totally doable, and I did not even feel that I desperately needed to sit down. I think I would have been more fatigued with the cane, especially through the soft sand…. I found my walking more stable, was able to continually get good heal strikes, and had a pretty even stride.

There was only one day of the seven total days of vacation when my walking was off. This was at Bryce Canyon, and I was disappointed initially with my just not getting a good stride going, had lots of foot-drop like steps, and just quickly had motor fatigue. Now, the weather was quite hot, and I was attempting a trail that while it was the easier of the two offered, had an incline that just did me in. I thought that maybe that I had reached my peak for the entire trip, but was very pleasantly surprised the next day when, at Zion, I was able to walk on an easy trail with very little elevation change for about a full mile.This included going off the trail over sanding/rocky terrain to get closer to the river. And when finished, I still had gas in the tank to continue to walk around the area, still using good form, and not feeling leg fatigue.

The friend I was traveling with also was very aware of my daily distance and stamina being much more than what I did back home. Now, I credit the single pole with helping me stay more upright, but also have to factor in that I escaped the dreaded humidity of the North East, was drinking water like crazy due to the altitude, had no work stress hanging over me, and had great motivation of seeing such beautiful country to spur me on. Whatever it was, I loved it.

Our trip ended in Vegas, which I didn’t give two hoots about, and was a bit fearful of the long walks within the hotel that everyone spoke of. Well, even THAT didn’t defeat me, but after dinner in the hotel, my friends were going out to take in all the glitz, and I just logged in more steps back to the room where I happily congratulated, and thanked, my dear legs for serving me well. Also kept looking at the total of steps I walked each day and did a mental Happy Dance… Now I have to find a way to keep that step count up!

[teena marie]

Walking is a challenge. My office has moved to home because of a hospital merger which meant we lost our office. Consequently, I walk less. I found I had less stamina after a winter of home based work so this year I plan to change that. Even if the weather is inclement, I will walk up and down my hallway. It always is better after a swim so I will incorporate a walk post swim. I started yesterday with 2 times in my hallway and will increase it as time goes on. I also use y pool for water walking.

Any other suggestions?

Teena Marie

[Veronica]

Just a quick update on my walking. I am post surgery five weeks at this point, still wearing the sling 24/7, and still staying very close to home, with twice weekly visits to PT for my passive ROM exercises of the shoulder, and an occasional dinner out/movie. I'm continuing to do my inside circuit, but at Herb's insistence, I've added additional time outside walking around my complex. It has some gentle hills. I obviously cannot use my trekking poles (which I often use when I'm doing dedicated walking), so this has a very different feel for me. It's a good challenge for me, as I think it's making me work my core more.(Could this be?) Especially the right side which is the problematic side to strengthen. The walking that I do inside is without a cane at all, and I'm beginning to suspect that this also is having me work my core a lot to keep my balance and negotiate turns.

I've been doing the inside circuit now for a few weeks pretty much on a daily basis(one can get very bored being at home for so long!) I think I've seen some improved strength on my core from this.... Very subtle as most improvements are for me, but improvement. My big push at this point is to keep increasing my distance/time when I walk either inside or out as I know I have lost stamina/endurance. When I have been increasing these, my body has, for the most part, favorably responded, so I'm hopeful that I'll continue to gain and not lose. I'm going to just keep on truckin' !

[teena marie]

Long overdue post. Amazing work, Veronica. I agree with your combination of the various threads. You are succeeding in circumventing a significant roadblock. Keep it up and keep posting.

After not much walking this winter (my office is home based now), I'm getting out more. I was worried that my gains may have taken a hit but I'm happy to say, I feel pretty solid and stable on my legs. They are strong after my increased pool work and training. I have also found my Kegel exercises for better bladder control has helped recruit some dormant deep pelvic floor muscles that in turn is helping with better hip alignment and stabilization and overall better balance.

Happy spring.

Teena Marie

[AMFADVENTURES]

I love it Veronica, where there's a will there's a way huh. Same great attitude, you are an inspiration. May this all be over before you know it.

Larry

[Veronica]

First off I have to say I have no idea where to post this.It's a combination of the Walking thread, in reference to Kelly Williamson's wonderful piece on dealing with setbacks, and our MSers in Training thread.

I'm post surgery now just two weeks, and feeling pretty energized. My PT and I have strategized how I can keep up aerobic exercising with unsteady balance and my right arm in a sling for another month. When I have gone out in these past two weeks, I have used my cane, but to walk distances I have been best served by my trekking poles, which of course are out of the question right now. And honestly I'm a bit nervous about walking on uneven sidewalks as the last thing I need to do is to have a tumble.

So, on the warmer days that we have had I have been able to get outside and just walk on a nice stretch of sidewalk that is relatively flat back and forth. But what I am finding is that inside I have a wonderful little circular route that is turning into my indoor track. I have been walking from kitchen to hall to living room to kitchen again over and over and over! I don't have a Fitbit right now so I've tucked my iPhone into the sling sleeve so that I have a record of steps and distance.Man, this is working well... I've been able to duplicate distance that I was last doing on the treadmill before the surgery. And the extra bonus here is that I am doing it without the cane!

I am very determined to not let this roadblock of shoulder surgery be my undoing.

[MSLazarus]

Hello again

I know what you mean about your foot being painfully jerked to the right. I remember that painful experience. I am sure you turned the setting down so it must be placement.

I did go back last year to get it recalibrated as I had lost weight. I also got the newer cuff as mine was very old.
Linda

[ldruce]

WalkAide

I know how important placement is and that it has to be on that nerve. All 3 orthotists have said that and they all put it in the same place, but then my foot jerks heavily to the right. Maybe it needs to be recalibrated. I will go back and see him. The few times it worked, it was wonderful.

I just found a personal trainer to come to my house and put together an exercise program for me. What a difference! I'm already feeling better.

[cpavelich]

Great posts

Wow as a new member to this sight I found all of this information very helpful I have trouble with my right leg with foot drop and can get very frustrated while walking. I am beginning to use the treadmill more and really like some of the programs that are being used. Can't wait to try them out at the gym Monday!!!

[MSLazarus]

I have had a Walkaide for about five years now...it is not as great as I hoped...

I was just evaluating why I rarely use it. I am a farmer and do a lot of my work crawling in the fields. So naturally I can not wear the Walkaide then. But even walking around the farm is so full of tripping possibilities that I did not wear it because I thought I would smash it! Stupid me. Better to smash it than keep it in the closet.

If you do not place it in the correct place, you are not simulating that nerve that lifts your foot. (I forget the name of the nerve but it begins with the letter "p". That is probably why it is not helping your leg.

Good luck

[teena marie]

This sounds pretty frustrating. I have no experience with the Walkaide but would continue to pursue the company and those that set you up initially.

Good luck and keep on moving.

Teena Marie