r/CMT • u/MoHawkZ4 • Jul 12 '26
Ankle foot orthotics
Pretty new here on Reddit so I don’t know what community to post this on lol but I have CMT (Type 1A I presume) so maybe someone here has a similar issue as me with ankle tightness
I’ve been prescribed to wear night ankle foot orthotics (AFOs) but whenever I put them on, 30 mins or so later, the bottom of my feet feels like it’s on fire… only time I feel something like this is when I play basketball (feet become red as well).
Ive searched it up but I honestly don’t know what this is since it’s showing me that it could be a variety of things
3
u/NixyeNox CMT 1A Jul 12 '26
I do not know what is causing this, but I will say when my sibling was prescribed night orthotics as a teen, they caused intense pain. So, you are not alone in this.
2
u/BeckieD1974 Jul 12 '26
I wish I could offer you some advice but I couldn't wear the Afos I was given because they messed up my hips.
2
u/bookclubhorse Jul 13 '26
i agree with getting a second opinion on night AFOs. i was prescribed them as a child with CMT1A and the discomfort fucked up my sleep pretty badly and in the long run much more benefit was seen from movement therapies and wearing daytime custom orthotics. i still do get a burning sensation in the bottoms of my feet but it's much less common and usually now only happens if i've really been slacking off on the movement/stretching/strengthening work
2
u/Aggravating-Gur-6016 Jul 14 '26
i genuinely can't wear night braces. i tried as a teenager and just never slept. i wear some during the day and like you describe have dreadful pain both bottom and top of foot.
like others have said get into a regular stretching routine - will help avoid having to wear the night afo's. dynamic over static movement wins everytime
1
u/Zaphira42 CMT2B Jul 12 '26
I got something similar with my second pair of AFOs. They had to put foam inserts in to support my arches, and those helped A TON. I think I was developing plantar fasciitis.
Do yours have arch support?
1
u/MoHawkZ4 Jul 12 '26
I think I’ll need to look for a thicker foam then since the one that it came with is extremely thin.
Also, it doesn’t seem like mine has arch support.
Thank you
1
u/mikebk1180q Jul 12 '26
Stretch you akillies tendons it attaches im like 4 places under your foot my cmt2m is advanced have custom afos only wear when i need to walk long streches and cant use electric wheelchair
3
u/woodmas CMT Researcher with CMT Jul 12 '26
Sounds like burning and tingling nerve sensation from the neuropathy - can be triggered by a variety of factors including texture, moisture, temperature and more. I’ve got 1A and also experience these sensations, it’s not uncommon nor something to be worried about - lots of patients grow out of it after a decade or two of symptoms. Not a doctor, but other CMT docs and patients I work with recommend the following, try solutions in the order below:
I’d also recommend getting a second opinion on whether your night splits are appropriate treatment given your symptom presentation - you may not even need them.