Night Splints

We are in Florida and having a really hard time finding a company that can make the night splints for Daniel correctly. We have had 3 different ones made in the last three years and the only ones that were made right were the first set. Unfortunately, he has outgrown them now and we need a new set asap. We keep being told to take them back and we do when they dont fit and they try to alter them. His pair last year hurt him and he complains constantly and wont wear them. We took them to Cincinatti this trip to the hospital, and were told that they were made wrong in the first place. They had been returned and altered 4 times to get them to this point of someone saying that they were made wrong. We could have had them made in Ohio while we were there, but it was the last day we were there and the rep from Hanger was on vacation that day :(

I am looking for some company in state and am willing to drive into anywhere if necessary (In Florida now) to get a good set. We have struck out with the local American Orthotech and Hanger in our area

Favorite

0 members favorited this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Laurie Paschal on August 27, 2009 at 10:01am

Not in Florida, so I can't help with anything local, but I'm wondering if you could have a PT cast him, send those to Cincy, and have the braces made there by Ted? Might be worth a call to see if it's possible.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gonzales on August 27, 2009 at 10:46am

The very first pair we got, we had local company cast him, and then sent them out to be made. They didn't like doing that and those pair actually were horrible. We get ours from Ted in Cinci, and although there may be an issue or two, they're way better, and we have them repaired a bit locally if necessary.
I would email Dr. Wong, or call Hanger directly and find out if he could be casted locally and sent out to them for the making. Plus, in Cinci, they make the cool "moon boots". My son had american flag ones last year, and this year he chose butterflies (because of going to butterfly gardens, and growing butterflies in house, etc.).

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Nicole Chiaramonte on August 27, 2009 at 12:10pm

I live in Hernando County, Florida. My son goes to the Shriners Hospital in Tampa. He has had his for about a year and a half now and have had no problems with them. We did have to take them in once and have them altered. And when we went back in July they were still okay for him.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Laurie Paschal on August 28, 2009 at 9:52am

Diane,
My son was 3 when he started wearing night splints. It was actually very easy. If they're made correctly, they won't hurt. It really depends on your child's temperament. Sam is very easy going, not much bugs him. But if you have a sensitive child (like my non-DMD son) then you may have to ease into it more.

diane lee rewa said:

this is no help 4 you.sorry.my son noah is 3 and recently diagnosed with duchenne.he will start wearing night splints soon and i was wondering if it will affect his sleep and if they are uncomfortable

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Allyson on August 28, 2009 at 9:57am

We received our night splints just a couple of days ago (fitted a few weeks ago). My son had no problem with fitting them at the consultant, but I am not sure about actually "wearing" them on a real basis. We decided to ease into it with a 1/2 hour a few days a week for the first week, followed by a 1/2-1 hour every day for a week, then all night ... Our maker said he would expect him to be wearing them all night every night within 3 weeks, which seems so soon. Just wondering what protocols you followed when easing into it, and what you did if you experienced any pushback (which is to be expected from time to time).

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Donna on August 28, 2009 at 4:18pm

I'm not sure what kind we had for the last 18 months (since diagnosis :-( ), but since our recent visit to his neuromuscular pediatrician and PT at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital along with a consult with a local PT; we have a new prescription for DAFO 9 Softy. These look like they will work much better as my son could easily pop his heel out of the current night splints. PLUS, he gets to pick all of the colors. I think you can even have them put some air holes in in case your little guy sweats like mine does :-)... Hopefully this picture comes over nicely, but here's a shot of the DAFO 9 Softy (scroll down once the product brochure pops up - it's the one with the criss cross straps)

http://www.cascadedafo.com/product_guide_flash/index.html

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by DanielsDad on August 29, 2009 at 10:40am

I will contact Ted in the Monday and try to coordinate a plan to have him more involved with this new set. That would keep him and Hanger involved, but would really like him casted down here and the splints made in Cincy, as we had the last pair made locally at the Hanger's here and after 3 alterations and Daniel not being able to wear them, we were told in Cincy that they were not even close to being made right and they were too tight in several places. Not much can be done after youve had them a year and they were never right.

Hard to understand why one company can make the 1st set perfect, then on the 2nd pair never able to get them right.....and then the 3rd set....lol......I wished it were as easy as saying Daniel is just too sensitive, but the PT and Hanger people say they are just made wrong.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by DanielsDad on September 6, 2009 at 9:02am

We keep hearing more and more good things of the Shriners making Night splints right and will probably go with them. Thank everyone for your imput on this post.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kristen P. Fields DPT on November 18, 2009 at 12:41pm

I have had really good luck with the CASCADE night splints (they also make the DAFO) They are adjustable and comfortable. A PT in many states can do the casting and fitting as well as the orthotist. My biggest recommendation is that you push whoever is prescribing or manufactuing the splints to make the splints fit.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Penny Hauer on February 4, 2011 at 2:09pm

I have a pair of splints for you I put my # on your site please get to me so I can get them to you.Penny

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Archana on February 4, 2011 at 7:43pm

I live in Tampa.we have few companies like West coast brace and limbs and hanger prothestics .we had actually used both of these over the years and it helped.Of course they were been covered by my insurence plan for most part.Hope this helps.