AFO's

As well as an Occupational and Speech Therapist, Elizabeth has been seeing a Physiotherapist over the last two years to try to tackle her toe walking. She literally walks, runs and jumps on the very tips of toes that’ll put a professional ballerina to shame. Despite regular exercises, the physio has recently noticed a stiffening of Elizabeth’s hips and a slight change in posture, as well as, a tightness in her calf muscles. To prevent major surgery when she is older, Elizabeth has been fitted with AFO’s (ankle foot orthosis). She is to wear them five hours a day over how long it takes to get her out of the habit of toe walking. It could be a few months or a few years. At the moment as soon as they are taken off she is back on her toes. She doesn’t seem to mind them which is a blessing and can still climb and jump in them. However, I’m not looking forward to summer as I can imagine how hot they are going to be.