Responses: Ankle support for wrestling

 
Thank you all for responding.  This has given us a multitude of options to continue wrestling.  Zach
Original post:
I have a request for a friend’s son who was injured while
wrestling and sustained compartment syndrome with resultant peripheral neuropathy/
drop foot.  He’s currently undergoing PT and will soon receive a custom
PLS AFO.  Their question is in regard to his future of high school
wrestling.  The AFO may not be allowed and may cause injuries to other
opponents.  
I was thinking that a lace up style ankle gauntlet (off the
shelf or custom) may suffice for positioning and for medial lateral ankle
support.  Since wrestling shoes are typically high top, I was thinking
perhaps the shoe itself could be modified.  Does anyone have experience with
this that can share their experience?
 
Thanks, Zach Harvey, CPO
Hey Zach, The ASO by
Medical Specialties works real well, it’s like ankle taping. It’s a lace up
brace with velcro straps in a figure of
eidght as well as velcro straps to control inversion/eversion. 
 
Hey Zach,
The best thing would be to find out if there is an Athletic
Trainer at the school or on-site at wrestling matches to tape the ankle
for the support needed. It could be under his sock and wrestling shoe. Then
wear the brace being made everywhere else.
Just a suggestion,
Joe
 
Most ankle gauntlets are trying to replicate a good tape job.
Does the team have a trainer?
 
Zachary,
I would try using a “foot up” I think
you can get it at Ossur.
Mike Dodd CO.
Try footup. They are
quite powerful on mobile feet. Soft all through, 
don’t see any league restrictions coming.
http://www.orthoticshop.com/custom-orthotics/innovation-foot-up.html
 
Zach-
PLS? With high school, I would think Spiral (OB
walk-on afo) with custom foot
orthosis overlay would be better, and would allow for a trial walk prior to fab
to evaluate efficacy.
Regarding the wrestling, the Arizona
articulated would work well, and again considering the high school element,
would look like an athletic ankle support and avoid the stigma of looking like
a CP kid in a plastic orthosis. As it is leather covered, it would be
acceptable for a sporting event.
Good Luck!
Tom

 Look into the SAFO from Dorset in England.
 
http://www.contrastdesign.co.uk/dorset-orthopaedic
 

 
http://www.dorset-ortho.com/downloads/SAFO.pdf
 
Keith E. Vinnecour, C.P.O. (E)
[email protected]
If its mainly M-L
support he’s concerned  with, I’ve found the Kallassey ankle brace gave the best
support, was lowest profile, and easily adjustable. I’ve used ankle braces
since high school for football, lacrosse, basketball, etc. I’ve tried every
brace I could get my hands on. I’m not sure how easily they would fit in
wrestling shoes (may need a size larger shoe) but for the price, it’s worth a
try. I hope this helps.
        Glenn Beall
CPO 
Hey Zach,
I recommend talking with the folks at Arizona
Brace.
David Gerecke, CPO, FAAOP
San Antonio
I wonder if the
coach would accept an oversleeve for the AFO, much like one uses for an ACL brace.  It
doesn’t have to cover the whole thing, just the calf and posterior area.  A
knee oversleeve could probably be used or modified. Otherwise I don’t know
how much support an OTS ankle support could give but it would be better than
nothing.  Paula Martinek, LPO
 
Hi Zach,
 
I coached high school wrestling years
ago but never had to deal with this issue.  I’m not sure you will get
enough support with an off the shelf lacer like an ASO.  How about an
Arizona type AFO?  It would provide more support and I would believe that
it’s rigidity would help support the toe drop.  Most of it would be
covered by the wrestling shoe and since all the plastic is covered by leather I
believe he would be able to use it in matches.  If you have a sample I
would try to get it approved by the local wrestling officials just to make
sure.
 
Please keep me informed of what you
decide to go with.
 
Thanks,
 
Tim
 
Hi Zach:

I had a young patient ready to go to college on
a soccer scholarship and was
injured in a game.  Suffer compartment
syndrome resulting in permanent drop
foot. Of course everyone is different as far as
how much return you patient
will get with therapy.  My patient did not
get enough return and he lost his
scholarship.  I would be cautious with even
the PLS.  Do not restrict to
much range of motion.  If your patient does
not have good active
plantarflexion, or potential for full ROM, I
would imagine this affecting
him in his sport.  I think you are on the
right track with just a simple
ankle gauntlet for it does not restrict
ROM.  Hopefully your patient will do
well in therapy and have return from the
neuropathy.  I would also have the
patient/parent follow up with doctors to make
sure there is no continuation
of compressed nerves.  Sometime additional
nerve decompression surgery is
needed.  

Hope this helps

Albert J Garney, CPO
Prince William Orthotics and Prosthetics, LLC
8644 Sudley Rd
Suite 305
Manassas, VA 20110
www.pwop.net
703-368-7967

Zach,
I feel a lace up for use while wrestling will
get him by depending on his plantar flexion strength. I would look at the
toe-off AFO or the Richie brace for more long distance walking and function. 

Carey Jinright, LO, ATP, MSM
Cross & 3
Zach-  Hope you are well . 
One of our Volunteer DO’s is a HUGE wrestler… his two cents below if you’re
interested.
 
Cheers- Mary
 
Mary M. Kwasniewski
P 757.625.7569 x
320   
 
From: Ron Gharbo
[mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Monday, February 13,
2012 8:56 AM
To: Mary Kwasniewski
Subject: Re: Fwd:
[OANDP-L] ankle support for wrestling
 
 
I assume he has peroneal nerve injuruy
with weakness with ADF and not plantar flexion.  Within the rules I would
think you could have an anterior custom molded orthosis that goes within
an oversized shoe or outside with padding that allows for some flexion with
gastroc contraction and passively returns to neutral for 6 minute
matches.   This is with the understanding that multiple one’s maybe
need to be made to be durable enough to last a few matches.
 
Ron Gharbo D.O.
Physiatrist
NCAA Div I All-American
PFP MOC member
 
here in the netherlands  we have a
firm called Basko healthcare , they have a brace called the A.S.O  its a
lace up brace , that and the high shoe might just do the trick .
 
stan
 
Zach, good idea, but
you may want to consider OSSUR’s Foot Up which has an elastic band which feeds
into the lacing on the shoe providing dorsiflexion assist. This will guarantee
a pin!
I think Branier makes a shoe
incorporated into an AFO.  If he can get a wrestling shoe bigger you
can make something to fit it.  Encompass the entire AFO in microcell
puff.  If you like I could make it from a model and with a shoe 1 1/2 size
larger than he wears.  I’ll guarantee it to work or it’s free.  You
could also make it yourself.  Kevin
Hey Zach,
How about something like this and build a
Neoprene cover for the exposed
areas??
http://www.spinalsolution.net/brace/44/ankle-foot-orthosis/schwartz-afo
Jeff A. Zeller, CP, BOCPO
Zach,
 I have the perfect brace! Our
Neurodyn!   This will fit in a regualr sneaker.  Can you please
give me a call.  You can order one and if it doesnt work you can send it
back!

Candy White
Euro International, Inc.
www.euroorthotics.com
www.eurosportsmedicine.com
 
 
800-378-2480 ext 203