Caden Gump (or Adventures in Podiatry)

Another day, another trip to Shriners, and another set of braces. This time a pair of DAFO's (dynamic ankle/foot orthotic). Because of his tight hips, he's been having problems with walking on the balls of his feet. These braces, if you click and enlarge and look closer at the outside edge near the ankle, have a joint in them that allows him to flex his toes (bring them up) but not extend them (point them downwards), forcing him to walk with his feet flat on the ground. They're hoping this'll put the stretch on his hips during the day.



Chillin in the exam room, waiting for the doc to come back in with some adjustments made:



His iPad Angry Birds game keeping him company while yet another adjustment is made to the length of the footpads:



The final fitting with new shoes (he had to get special ones from them cause the ones I had with me were all to small to fit to go home in, d'oh!) before a test run around the room:



His ski-boots. These shoes really do look huge on him:

And with the angle of flexion this holds his ankles at (think how you feel if you've ever worn rollerblades or ski boots), it's taken him a bit of practice to re-learn how to walk without tipping over backwards or forwards. Stairs are a conundrum for him again. And trying to get up to standing from sitting on the floor is an exercise in persistence and a plethora of frustrated grunts and 'sthuck!' (stuck!) exclamations. But my Nugget is a fighter, Mr. Adaptable, and it won't take him long.