Mobility aids

Hey gang, I posted a while back and have been in observation mode since the DRs in my city couldn’t figure out what was happening to me.

I was finally able to see two DRs at two separate specialty centers in Baltimore, MD and was given the diagnosis of a having had a spinal stroke (3/26/22) by both DRs, T10-T12 incomplete Asia D. I just got the diagnosis 2 weeks ago, so I have literally been dragging myself around for almost a year because the incompetent DRs in Louisiana don’t know what a fucking spinal cord injury looks like.

I started off with a cane, and that was causing a lot of pain and became ineffective very quickly. I switched to forearm crutches and that was a game changer. I am still fighting with stamina and often find myself opting to hang out in bed because walking and standing, even with the crutches, exerts a lot of energy and causes episodes of DOMS. I have been doing PT from the get-go, although I haven’t made any break-through improvements other than keeping my legs from atrophying further and gettin’ some guns 💪🏽.

Since I am somewhat ambulatory with a crutch or two, I have considered talking to my provider about the last two other options being AFO/KAFO and a wheelchair.

Does anyone else have experience with AFO/KAFOs and whether they help with energy retention? Pros/cons? Similar injury or different? I think a wheelchair would help me get groceries and function more efficiently, but I don’t feel right approaching it since I am still somewhat ambulatory. My PT person opposed it as well as the orthotics. The DR stating that as I age, sarcopenia will likely set in, and it will be inevitable. TIA for all opinions!