Updated 10-08
She started treatment at six weeks of age. Many children are treated within days. Her first pediatric orthopedist put on a short cast without manipulating the foot and gave us no information. Fortunately, her next doctor was just starting to use the non-surgical Ponseti method (see link below). The Cast Tech had just returned from training with Dr. Ponseti himself! Our daughter was their first Ponseti method patient! Her foot was corrected quickly & perfectly.
Fortunately, we found an internet listserv (see link below) with over 600 families whose children have been through the same thing, so I was able to learn the ins and outs of what to expect from this treatment at each stage.
Unfortunately, many doctors are not following the method as prescribed, including the new doctor. For example, the second doctor had our daughter wear the Foot Abduction Brace (FAB) (pictured below) full time for 5 months instead of the usual 3 and also wanted to make changes to the bracing protocol, so we switched to a more experienced doctor (Dr. Herzenberg, see link below) further away although our daughter was nearly done with treatment. This is something many parents have had to do.
She stopped wearing the shoes at 3 years, 3 months old. Her foot was very mild. (Most children use the bar until age 3 or 4. The majority of relapses occur between 2 and 2 1/2 years old because the child stops wearing the brace too soon). It has been so worth the journey to avoid extensive surgeries that do not always have a good long term outcome.
Last week we went to see Dr. H. for a checkup. The Occupational Therapist (OT) who re-evaluated Zoe for her balance issue this summer noted that zoe's non clubfoot is flat while her clubfoot has an arch in it. This imbalance can further affect her ability to balance herself. Dr. H. checked her non clubfoot and noted that her heel cord is tight. He said too bad she didn't have a tenotomy on that foot! Half jokingly, of course. Zoe will need to have physical therapy in order to loosen her heel cord.
Before Treatment
No Tenotomy Needed
with Car Seat Strap Covers
Every year, 80,000 children worldwide do not receive treatment for their clubfoot.
I have put together an alphabet book and notecards. The proceeds from donations for these items will be donated to
A Leg to Stand On to treat children in India born with Clubfoot.
For information about the project, please contact me.
Kristi Yamaguchi Mia Hamm Damon Wayans Troy Aikman
Dudley Moore Pat Summerall (Thanks Kelly!)