Many patients asked me about products that I think are worth the money and are well made. I have this list of a variety of products that I have seen over the years that I liked. These simply are links to other websites. I have no financial interest in any of these websites or products, and I receive no royalties from this. This is simply information for you.
Knee Scooter - This is the most common device people ask about. They look pretty silly the first time you see one, but 90% of people think they are absolutely great. You can rent them at roughly $100/month but the prices have come down so much that it makes sense to buy one. Most insurances DO NOT pay for them but no harm in calling your insurance and asking about "durable medical equipment". If you buy them in advance, you can try them out before surgery and many people find that helpful. It is definitely helpful for the 6-10 weeks of non-weightbearing, but patients often use the knee scooter for several weeks after simply because they are just faster on the knee scooter early on in the recovery. There are many different options on Amazon to choose from.
Achilles Tendon Boot - This is the boot that Kobe used for his rehab. Some insurances pay for it so definitely try to run it through insurance as my only criticism is that it is pretty expensive. Otherwise, it's a pretty great boot.
This box was "invented" by an outstanding orthopedic surgeon in Ohio. The box itself is not new but his adaptation certainly is a vast improvement on things. I got one for the LA Ballet and was reluctant to bring it over because I liked it so much. They certainly need it more than me.
Orthotics always raise frequent questions. For the most part, I do not think that most people need a custom made orthotic. The custom made orthotic often are $300 and most insurances do not pay for them. And often that are uncomfortable. These over the counter options are much cheaper and do a fairly good job
New Balance Fresh Foam More running shoes
Ped Egg - This callus shaver is like a cheese grater for skin. Pretty effective if you use it everyday.
As we get older, our feet get wider. This device, or something like it, has bumps that you can attach to the stretcher and stretch specific areas in your shoe to relieve pressure. Works reasonably well for bunions and hammertoes.
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Many people ask me how to tape the second toe for instability. Kinesio tape comes in many brands and this brand is high quality. There are many other brands that will work as well. You can cut the strips into skinnier strips with scissors. The spray will make the tape stay on longer and can make it last up to several days.
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This is the tape that we use at the LA Dance Project. The good news is that is super sticky and can last up to a week. The bad news is that it's super sticky and it's hard to manipulate because it sticks to itself as you are putting it on. If you heat the adhesive with a hair dryer or match prior to putting it on, it's impressively sticky and can last even through the shower. It's pretty inexpensive and a little more sturdy compared to Kinesio.
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