Question on kids socks

[susieatmg]

Hi All, we are adopting a little girl from China who was born with SB. I am trying to figure out what would be the best type of socks to take when we go get her that would be the most comfy under the foot/ankle braces that she wears. The brace is a molded plastic with 4 velcro straps. I noticed she has some bruising from the brace and want to make sure I take the best socks for the job. She will be almost three when we get her, if anyone could direct me to a site or give me a brand name that would be great. Also had a question about the plastic brace. The braces don't look like ones I have seen here and look pretty worn, one is actually missing a strap. Are these molded to each childs foot or are they made more by length. Just trying to figure out if I can take something different when we go or if should just deal with them till we get home etc. I know we will need to get her fitted etc when we get home just wasn't sure how exact the sizing is on these if I could find a pair for her that are more functional that what she has for when we go. Sorry if the brace question is dumb :)

[dahliafaolan]

No question is a dumb question. As for her braces, it sounds like she wears AFOs that she has outgrown. These are molded to each child's foot by order of an orthopedic doctor or rehabilitation doctor, whichever you have to deal with in your area. The best bet will probably be to deal with it when she gets home. As for the socks question, I always had to wear those white socks that went all the way up to right below the knee. I think you call them crew socks. My mom got so tired of buying those over the years between my father and I!! (He had his leg broken in 15 pieces when my parents first got married so he has to wear long socks to protect the skin grafts.) I was so happy when they told me I didn't have to wear the braces any more so I could wear cute socks for once!

[susieatmg]

Thanks for the reply! I have been looking around and found a site that sells AFO liners. They claim you don't need the tall socks if you have the liner so we will definately check those out too, since it would mean we could get the cute little socks. Thanks for the info on the socks :)

[LisaJoy]

The AFO liners may not work, depending on the style of the brace. My brace, for example, has an attached velcro strap around the ankle, which precludes the use of an AFO liner, much to my disappointment. It is hot in the summer here in Tennessee. I have cut the toes out of some knee socks to wear with sandals. She should be able to wear any knee sock with her braces -- the trick will be finding knee socks in the summer time!

Definitely wait until you get her here for the AFOs -- they need to be custom made.

[susieatmg]

Thanks for the reply! Her braces have four wide straps, two on her foot and two on her ankle/leg. I am not sure if she can stand at all without them, I doubt it, she stands on the outside edge of each little foot in the pictures, but then with the braces on she gets around better, like the braces maybe pull her foot flatter to the floor to walk on? I am not sure if doctors here can do something to help her feet or not. Not sure if they can put casts on or something, not sure if braces will be necessary (or different) after we get her to doctors here. I just don' t know enough. Thanks for telling me about the liners, I would have bought some before travel and possibly wasted my money. I will wait and see what kind of braces she gets here. Thanks alot. Sue