I’ve noticed a rather discouraging trend in the lower-limb orthotic management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). While exceptions abound, it’s frustrating to observe that many of the individuals who come in with a diagnosis of MS probably should have been in to see me or one of my colleagues five to ten years earlier. By the time they get to an orthotist, they often report having dealt with gait challenges for years that could have been reasonably managed much sooner. I’ve often wondered why the MS medical community doesn’t get these folks to us sooner so we can enable improved safety and function in a more timely manner.
