Maybe you have a fabric idea

[Trekhawk]

Girls...

I have finally taken that big step and climbed onto my trainer successfully!!!
(I actually had an unsuccessful attempt at Christmas and ended up doing an endo off my trainer...have the scar to prove it!!)

Anyway, I have found that my braces fit into my cycling shoes, however my brain still does not want my leg to clip and unclip, so I have gone back to platform pedals for the time being. The problem is...this brace is going to be with me for a long time, probably the rest of my life. It goes from my toes, along my foot, to my knee, then to my thigh, where it locks. I can pedal a little with the brace on...but no pedaling at all with brace off. What I need advice on is, How can I pad this brace so I can use it in the hot weather, or on the indoor spinner? Any of you sewers have any idea what type of material would be best against plastic and skin??? Are there any physical therapists out there who have gotten a left sided plegic like myself back onto a bike??? Do you think I could buy chamois to mold into the brace??

I sincerely appreciate any and all help. I am making some progress in that I can make my left leg pedal every third stroke or so, and to me that is cause for happy dance. I never thought this would happen!! I climbed back up on my trusty Trek because I seem to be losing muscle mass on my left leg very quickly...and I don't want to have to start all over again!!!

karen
trying hard to be ready for spring

Im no help with material advice Im afraid but I just wanted to chime in with the rest of the crew and say WAY TO GO KAREN.
You constantly amaze us with your recovery and tenacious spirit.

[massbikebabe]

Hey Thanks Guys!!!

I actually have my son and hubby to thank because they made my bike and trainer sort of wheelchair accessible!!! Meaning I have lots of room to get on and then I have poles to keep me from listing over to the left all the time. (A
slight issue with balance).

Thank-you Penny for your reply...I am looking to make a sleeve of some sort that can cover at least the AFO splint on my lower leg. Right now it is just skin on plastic and I have limited feeling in the lower part of my leg, so it would be easy to get an abrasion, or infection. I was thinking of chamois but my hubby thinks that may be to thick, and is worried it may cause more problems. Something wicking would be good. I would prefer to sew a sleeve that would be tight, and not leave wrinkles that could cause skin breakdown. Something that I could take off to wash etc. etc. I don't want to glue anything onto the splint for fear I would damage it...it was very expensive to have built, (Thanking God for health Insurance). Unfortunately, without my splint I spend more time on the ground than I do standing upright...so it has become a very important part of my life.

Thank-you to my local TE gurl Surly who sews...I think we could come up with a design!!!

Thanks to you all for cheering me on. First the trainer and maybe later this month I may try a road spin...the balance issue still is looming large!!

I love you guys
karen

[wavedancer]

Wow, Karen, you are just amazing!!!

For padding the splint, what about some sort of synthetic "sheep-skin" covering like we used to use to prevent abrasion for bed-bound patients? I like the idea of contacting the para-olympics folks, I bet they have thought of just about everything!

Just a thought...what about some sort of memory-foam...check this out:

http://www.sunmatecushions.com/sosunmate.htm

I am sure you will come up with just what you need, because you are so determined and motivated! You go, girl

Linda

[Irulan]

am I seeing this right in that it would be something like those neoprene sleeve thingys that some wear as a light knee stabilizier, yet this would go between your leg and the brace?

If it's something like that here are some things to try. all of these would be machine washable, line dry, and have some sort of varying strechy andvwicking properties.

*polartec 200, or some polartec 1000 that has some lycra to it. ( stretch fleece)
*Aquashell ( polartec 2000) this is the 2mm neoprene bonded to fleece that is used in various wetskin type application.
*powershield
* any of the above could be combined with a 9 oz beefy lycra. There are also some velcro compatible fabrics out there, I'd have to think which exactly of the sources carries it, if you needed to build in some adjustability.

http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/tips/sources.asp

[Embellina]

No advice for you, I just wanted to add my voice to the chorus! Way to go!

[annie]

Karen,

Sounds like the spirit is stronger than the body -- but it's your spirit that will, and already is, making your body strong again! You are truly amazing. Getting on that trainer and pedaling -- what an incredible high that must have been for you. Just be careful, please, whenever you try that road ride!!! NO crashes!

Sounds like you've gotten some very good ideas on fabrics to prevent chafing. Hope one of them works for you.

Keep up the battle! You are already a winner.

annie

[solobiker]

Hi there, I have worked with people with braces before. what kind of brace is it? It sounds like an AFO that extends up to your knee. does the ankle portion flex? what kind of material is it made out of? does it slide on or are there a lot of straps? just asking for skin integrity reasons

[massbikebabe]

Gee Solo thanks...

Yes, it is very much an AFO to the knee, and then on the side of the knee is another pole for second support...this will eventually be "cut away" and I will just have the AFO portion on. It is made out of very hard plastic, does not bend at the ankle. The only strap is just below my knee...this is made of velcro and holds the plastic around my calf. Any idea's?? Can something be purchased or will I have to make something???


thanks a million
karen
enjoying the warmer 50 degree temps.

[Veronica]

I don't know nothing about no fabrics...

But all I can say is WOW! Good for you Karen! Are you Irish? You're certainly fighting!

Do be careful when you go for that first road ride.

V.

[CorsairMac]

Gee Solo thanks...

Yes, it is very much an AFO to the knee, and then on the side of the knee is another pole for second support...this will eventually be "cut away" and I will just have the AFO portion on. It is made out of very hard plastic, does not bend at the ankle. The only strap is just below my knee...this is made of velcro and holds the plastic around my calf. Any idea's?? Can something be purchased or will I have to make something???


thanks a million
karen
enjoying the warmer 50 degree temps.

Don't know anything about fabric but what about leg warmers?? for bikies?? mine fit fairly snug and go from ankle to mid-thigh (and you can thank your hubby for me but I can manage these ok by myself and still ride my bike! {sorry.....couldn't resist})
Would that work??

[solobiker]

Well, do you wear it over or under your street clothes? if you wear it over is it snug?? just asking for size reasons. There is soft blue foam that i have put on splints before for padding but I imagine it would be too thick. There is a material called stockinet, may have spelled it wrong. It is a thin material in the shape of a tube that can slide over extremities. are you looking for a material to keep from sticking to the brace? To keep from sweating too much? Stockinet is thicker then a stocking but thinker then normal socks. I dont think you would like the "sheeps wool" which is a soft material but does not stay well adheared to the brace and can get bunched up. Another idea for you would be to call a prosthetist. I know you dont have a prosthesis, thank goodness, but they have to make "socks" that fit over the residual limbs to accomodate the prosthesis. just some ideas. hope everything works out for you. you certainly give me motivation. Thanks

[mary9761]

Well, do you wear it over or under your street clothes? if you wear it over is it snug?? just asking for size reasons. There is soft blue foam that i have put on splints before for padding but I imagine it would be too thick. There is a material called stockinet, may have spelled it wrong. It is a thin material in the shape of a tube that can slide over extremities. are you looking for a material to keep from sticking to the brace? To keep from sweating too much? Stockinet is thicker then a stocking but thinker then normal socks. I dont think you would like the "sheeps wool" which is a soft material but does not stay well adheared to the brace and can get bunched up. Another idea for you would be to call a prosthetist. I know you dont have a prosthesis, thank goodness, but they have to make "socks" that fit over the residual limbs to accomodate the prosthesis. just some ideas. hope everything works out for you. you certainly give me motivation. Thanks

The lightweight stocking tights that I recommended earlier is the closest I've found to the stockinet that the Physical Therapists used with my carpal tunnel splints.

[latelatebloomer]

I was so beat tonight that I was sure I did not have an ear-to-ear grin left in me. I wuz wrong! MBB, you ROCK!!

[Surlygirl]

Hey Karen,
Did a search last night for linings for leg braces and came up with a couple of sites that have a few different ideas. Some have the knee high stocking set up that you can use that just slip on under the brace and they are washable.
Since I haven't seen your brace I'm not sure what we are looking for but google linings for leg braces and see if anything strikes your fancy.

[massbikebabe]

V; Yup, first generation irish american...tis a cross indeed

Solo: I had to go out and buy a whole new lot of pants to go over the damn brace.

Surly: Thanks for the search and for watching my back I'll talk to you soon!

Corsair, dahlin...my honey has a little drinkin song 'bout tights he just may share with you someday. Gotta tell ya, I was an ER nurse for 13 years and his little number made me blush Watch out girl!!!


karen
doing a stroke challenged happy dance for all my great TE gurls!!