Guest guest Posted November 16, 2000 Report Share Posted November 16, 2000 It is good to see your wonderful postings back here! ) and I were wondering about you all, hope all is well. I dont know if emailed you about the link that you were having difficutly with. He tickered with it and couldn't get the photo up. He would be able to explain why better than I . I " lost " the Ugandan clubfoot photo, found it. It is sitting here printed out. I just need to look up the addy and send it. I'll have it out by tomorrow. Sara and Ivy 8/18/99 www://clubfoot.net Re: Thank you. > Ketan > > What your doctor told you today is currently probably the prevailing > view of pediatric orthopedists in the US (that about 90% of clubfoot > cases need ankle ligament and joint surgery and about 20% will > ultimately need a second surgery). > > The Ponseti method is currently only used by about 5% of the ped > orthos in the US although slowly more are becoming interested in > learning about it. The Ponseti method uses weekly manipulations > followed by a specific type of casting for from 4-6 casts. With the > use of the Ponseti method only about 5% of children end up needing > the surgery (posterior release type) although about 75% need what is > called a heel cord tenotomy followed by a 3 week cast. They also > need to wear the Denis Browne shoes and bar (DBB) 24/7 for 3 months > and then while asleep for 3-4 years. The Ponseti method has 30+ year > long term outcome studies that indicate " ... In a recent review of > our patients treated 25 to 42 years ago [3], it was found that > although the treated clubfeet were less supple than the normal foot, > there were no significant difference in function or performance > compared to a population of a similar age born with normal feet. " > > With the surgical methods there are different things that can be done > during surgery depending on each surgeon. Post surgical casting is > typically 8-12 weeks and then each doctor has their own philosophy on > how to try to prevent relapsing including the use of the DBB or other > retention types of devises. Although surgical methods are currently > the prevailing methods of treatment, there are no long term outcome > studies on surgically treated patients that go much longer than about > 16 years of age. > > One of the reasons that many of us have been pursuing non-surgical > treatment is to try to minimize any potential short and long term > risks or complications from surgical treatment. There are also some > risks and potential complications from non-surgical methods. If you > are interested, there is information here in the files and links > section of this groups that can help you to know more about potential > risks and complications of both surgical and non-surgical treatment > methods. You can also ask any questions that you would like and we > will try to each give you our opinions. Remember that we are not > doctors, just parents like you who have each had different > experiences and want to be of help. > > Our objective is to help parents know that there are different > methods of treatment available if they are interested in learning > about them and to encourage them through the process of having their > child treated. > > We are glad to have you here. > > and (3-17-99) > http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Ortho/Peds/Clubfeet/Egbert.html > > > > > Thank you all for your great advice and support. Today, we met an > > Orthopedic Surgeon, who is practicing for last 25+ years, reassured > > that nothing to worry about compare to other birth defects. He > > informed us about typical correction procedure that might include > > surgeries. In his opinion 90% of cases need some type of surgery > and > > 20% needs second surgeries.He appreciated Dr. Ponseti's method but > > also said that " it doesn't correct as close as surgery. Ponseti > method > > leaves feet little curved and it will recover as time passes " . He > uses > > mixure of Ponseti method during his casting process. I met one of > his > > clubfeet patient's mother whose son, 15 mo., is going through > second > > surgeries and recovering fine. She gave positive reference about > this > > group. To see my case, please look at # 4097 - Welcome your input. > > Again, I thank everyone of you to help us reassuring in this > > situation. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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