I have just had the worst experience at an orthotics clinic ever!!!!! — Scope | Disability forum
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I have just had the worst experience at an orthotics clinic ever!!!!!

niceboots
niceboots Scope Member Posts: 198 Pioneering
I went to be fitted for an afo for my right leg that I was casted for over six weeks ago ( despite being told that it would take only 4 at the most).
When the orthotist went to put the afo on me it was extremely lose, so much so I asked whether it was actually the one meant for me. I also commented that it did not have the instep strap, which to me is one of the most important straps on the afo as the high tone in my foot would just pull me out of it, rendering the afo useless.
I noted that when I moved my foot the afo seemed to flex which when I was to weight bear on it there would be little or no support. The orthotist said it should be better inside my piedro boots - to which my response was that now I have two afos I will not be supplied another pair of boots as the support is meant to come frome the splints.

I was there well over an hour while a technician added the right straps and remolded it to fit better.
Luckily he took on board what I had to say, and respected the fact that I know what I'm talking about.

What concerns me most is that I'm lucky in the fact that I can express my concerns and will use my knowledge to get what I know I need, but not everyone can or will, and what happens to them??

Comments

  • handyman
    handyman Community member Posts: 2 Listener
    I guess you know the answer already to your question. On the other hand they can seek advice for those who have understanding on afo. Moreover, through your post they will learn somehow.
  • James2
    James2 Community member Posts: 16 Listener
    I don't believe it you should be treated better . What is the clinic called ? Report them to watchdog when the new series come out for giving out bad service .
  • TANYAFIELDING
    TANYAFIELDING Community member Posts: 18 Listener
    Perhaps you should explain some of these terms. I am new to orthotics so I don't understand exactly what you mean. My orthotic did pull the ligament under my heal and I was not warned of this and the GP gave me the wrong advise. A few diagrams might help other CP sufferers from getting caught out.
  • mousie
    mousie Community member Posts: 5 Listener
    I only got fitted with my AFO's two years ago, and I am now 50! They have given me a soft tissue injury on the side of one foot. It has formed a small obvious lump. They have been tweaked twice, the lump is not sore. I attend the top hospital for cp in the uk. The robert jones and agnes hunt orthopaedic hospital in oswestry.
    It is a great hospital for cp, only wish I had known about it years ago.
    Have seen a lot of quack consultants, in my time and been given bad advice. Cp is so specialised and difficult a condition to treat, think patients need to fight for the correct care nowadays.
  • Noah
    Noah Community member Posts: 425 Pioneering
    Thanks for your post Mousie, really great to hear some of your experience. Do you mind me asking if your AFO's are working? Are the helping with your walking/function? I just googled the "Robert jones and agnes hunt orthopaedic hospital" It certainly does look like one of the best. Great to hear you have found somewhere that understands CP well, do you live local to that Hospital?

    Agree, patients certainly do need to fight for the correct care nowdays.

    Would be interested to hear more about you AFO's, and what is particularly good about the
    "Robert jones and agnes hunt orthopaedic hospital"?

    You have also given me an idea for starting a new conversation to discuss positive experiences of heath care professionals and hospitals that we have all had.

    All very best

    Noah
  • niceboots
    niceboots Scope Member Posts: 198 Pioneering
    I thought I give an update on this post (albeit over a year on!)
    I now see a new Orthotist, and yesterday I was cast for a new right afo, after a year of feeling fobbed off and being told that the afo was fit for purpose when clearly it wasn't!!

    The new afo will be made from a stronger material and have a different strapping set up to pull my ankle into a better position and help correct the deformities in my right foot. It will also have extra padding to relieve pressure points on my foot that get uncomfortable after a while.

    We also reviewed my other splints, and came up with an on going plan to replace my left afo at a later date as there are some mild stress points beginning to appear.
    The strapping and padding was also replaced on my left afo as they were beginning to get worn out.

    I was very impressed that my concerns were listened to and my knowledge and experience of orthotics was respected.

Brightness