According to the National MS Society about 2/3 of people with MS have walking difficulties. Problems walking interfere with working outside the home, traveling, attending significant life events, and even performing daily activities. Problems are aggravated by fatigue that is experienced by 80% of MSers. All of these can be alleviated by using walking aids.

Imagine, your quality of life which is threatened by balance, swaying, and falling can be recaptured by the use of a simple walking aid. So why do people still resist using a walking aid? There is a variety of choices, each with its own benefits for particular problems. Between the initial resistance and too many choices, the solution is more difficult than ever.

In my last article, I talked about canes. Today the subject includes simple foot braces, crutches, and introduces a standard walker. All of these are relatively lightweight, portable, and easily transported. They can be sized for height and weight, for both children and adults, but all of these depend on the user being able to stand. Now let's look at some foot braces and crutches.

Foot Braces
Sometimes when someone with MS cannot walk, it is simply because a foot does not perform. Maybe it just won't lift up, and instead drags or shuffles across the floor or ground. Other times, when the leg muscles are too weak to turn the ankle or lift the toes, foot drop interferes with the simple act of walking. In these cases, the mobility problem has little or nothing to do with balance or support

When one foot, or even both feet do not work, your mobility aid choice can be as simple as a foot brace. There are several types of foot braces, foot lift assists, a simple x-strap to more complex orthotic devices. Foot orthotics are orthopedic devices used to correct foot function, designed to adjust and support foot disorders and reduce the chances of tripping by allowing the user to lift and move the foot easier.

All of these items are custom made and professionally adjusted to ensure the best benefit.This being said, these devices reduce or eliminate the chances of tripping.

Problems and complaints with these braces include the fact that they are hot, bulky and awkward. They rub and sometimes cause the foot to become numb. In addition, some include a belt that accommodates balance.

Here is one that is a little different. A British scientist developed a unique walking aid for his MSer wife who has foot drop. Using his invention called the MusMate, her walking speed doubled. Volunteers from the local MS Society reported their walking distance increased six-fold. This customizable shoulder harness with elastic straps is similar to the foot braces because it addresses drop foot, but it is not limited to the foot area. It is now available commercially.

Although the foot devices can be used independently, they are especially effective when used in conjunction with other walking aids such as canes or crutches.

Crutches
You might choose crutches as your walking aid if you have stiffness, spasms, balance problems, and weakness in the legs. They provide balance and take pressure off the leg muscles. Crutches do not require much upper body strength