Balance--Try this w/your eyes closed: How many seconds can you hold one foot up?

[kippy6]

I had my Translab surgery about 6 months ago. I am doing very, very well! I didn't think I had any balance problems, but realize now that everytime I turn a corner in my house, my shoulder is always hitting the doorway trim or the exposed corner of the wall. I'm thinking about starting up aerobics at a gym, but I'm wondering if I should test my balance a bit more first. I don't want to be falling over the step in step class!!

I recently read about checking your balance by closing your eyes and holding one foot up. I can only hold my foot up for 2 seconds without losing my balance. I wonder what is normal? So what would a 2 mean and what is the typical scale?

How many seconds can you hold your foot up with your eyes closed?

[Jeanlea]

I'm nearly 17 months out from surgery.  I have really good balance considering I only have the one balance nerve.  Even so, I can only stand on one leg with my eyes closed for 2 seconds, too.  Can anyone top that?  lol

Jean

[rebarman]

This is of the tests the PT had me do after getting out of bed for the 1st tme after sutgery last week. I stood up, fine, no problem. She said to lift 1 foot. Fine no problem. She said to close your eyes, and I promptly fell back onto the bed.   

I still haven't namaged to do it fot more than just a split second or so. I know it will get better with time

[HostMom]

Well, I haven't even had my surgery yet, and my balance was tested as being just 28% off recently.  Nevertheless, I find it quite difficult.  I tried repeatedly, and was only able to maintain my balance between 2-6 seconds each time (more typically at the lower end of that range). 

My husband does not have an AN, and he can't do it for more than a second or two himself. 

I wouldn't be too concerned about it---or use it as the measure of your success at improving your balance!

Barb

[ppearl214]

can't do it for more than 3 seconds....... use to be able to (in my yoga days) for time on end, but now.... pfffft!

Oh, well.....

Phyl

[Brendalu]

I tip over side ways!  I don't think I last a half second and I am eighteen months post op.
Brendalu

[jerseygirl]

Hi,

For me it depends on which foot I stand. If I stand on my right foot and balance with the left, I have no problems. However, if I stand on my left foot and balance with the right one, I manage very wobbly 3 seconds with my eye closed. In fact, if I don't get enough sleep, I will have the same wobbly 3 seconds with my eyes open; I sometimes cannot even maintain my yoga poses when I use my right side to balance.

My AN on the right side was removed 18 years ago; I have a regrowth already pressing on the brainstem and another surgery is pending. I was always wondering why there is such a difference in balance depending on which foot I stand as it really affects my yoga. The only explanation I could think of is that my bad side (right) cannot send balance information to the good one (left), so when I use the right side to balance, the brain does not get input regarding body position in the absence of the visual information. Anybody else found this to be true?

     Eve

[Windsong]

My An is on left side.

I tried doing what you suggested  and i cannot even start to balacne when i stand on my lfet foot and raise the right one...i sway as soon as i raise the right foot off the ground.

The reverse seems fine for a while... (stand on right foot lift left with eyes closed)

Interestiing...
thanks!
W.

[Jim Scott]

O.K. I had to try this balance 'test'. 

Like most, I can hardly go more than a second or two standing on one foot, my eyes closed and with the other foot raised.  However, in everyday life, I have no trouble walking, even on uneven surfaces, going up and down stairs, walking in the dark, etc. so I can't get too worried about not being able to do something I would likely never do, anyway.  I just assume that my balance won't ever be what it once (pre-AN) was but as long as I can navigate and function fairly normally, I'm good with that.

P.S. I think this thread probably belongs in the 'Balance Issues' section.

Jim

[ppearl214]

P.S. I think this thread probably belongs in the 'Balance Issues' section.

Agreed Jim but JoeF and I don't have the "key" to move it to another forum.  But, it still falls in line with AN issues, so still safe here!   BTW, my cane is the only thing helping my balance.  Oh, joy... such a fashion statement I have...  P

[Joef]

Jim ... I always like the way you think! I don't think I will ever need to worry about standing on one leg in the dark ...

I too can only do 2 or 3 secs without starting to fall

** as I look around the office to make sure no one is see me try this!  **

I did recently order a "wading stick" ... which is special "cane" used for walking in fast rivers to fish for extra balance ... so far walking in fast moving water on un-even bottoms has been the hardest thing to overcome .. as I have gone for several "un-expected" swims last year 

[krbonner]

Can non-ANers do this?  I could stand on one foot till the cows come home with my eyes open (as long as one mof my knee-biting swashbucklers-to-be doesn't crash into me!), but only a few seconds with my eyes closed.  But now I'm curious if anyone else can even do it?  It's not something I tried a lot pre-AN...   

Katie

[Jeanlea]

I had my 13 year old son try it.  He could do it, but he was pretty wobbly.  I agree with Jim.  It's not a skill that I need to use in daily life. 

Jean

[Crazycat]

Not for one second. And I'm in pretty good shape too!

   Paul

[Mark H]

I can balance on either foot with my eyes open after a couple seconds of getting things centered, but the moment I close my eyes I start to wobble. I have to put the other foot down after 3 to 5 seconds. My AN's are real small, about 2mm on both sides. 
Mark