Re: strengthening calf muscle/occupational therapy

February 16, 2005

Hello Joanne.

That is very interesting information. Why do you think the OT would pin

the PJ pants together? How would that make a difference? When their feet

are in the shoes and bar, they can't really move their legs that much

anyway. I'm not quite understanding that. sleeps on her stomach,

so I wonder if there is anything wrong with that. My guess would be no.

When did you discover Zoe's inner ear problem? Was that recent?

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

x374

fax

February 16, 2005

Joanne,

I'm curious how you found out that Zoe has this inner ear problem. My

older daughter Jenna seems to have issues w/ some gross motor things

and balance etc. Our pediatrician seems to think it is fine but I

have been wondering about it.

Thanks,

> Hi All,

>

> Just thought I'd share in case I haven't already since the calf

muscle issue

> was brought up recently...

>

> My daughter is now 3 3/4 with a right clubfoot. She is right foot

dominant,

> so I think that's helped to minimize the difference in her calf

size, since

> she uses her right foot more than her left. Recently, she received a

small

> scooter and she loves it! This is a child who does not do well with

gross

> motor coordination (see below). She scooters around the block a

couple times

> a day using her right leg to push. I was looking at her calves

yesterday and

> could no longer see a visible difference between them like I used

to. The

> scooter is perfect for very young children. It only supports up to 44

> pounds. My daughter is nearly 42 pounds, so I'm going to be sad when

she

> can't use it anymore. I don't think I'll be able to get it away from

her...

>

> Here is the link to the scooter on amazon:

>

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005B086/qid=1108525491/sr=8-1/r\

ef=pd_bbs_1/002-2287041-2892046?v=glance&s=toys&n=507846

>

> It turns out that my daughter has an inner ear problem that affects her

> balance, so she was a year behind in gross motor skills because she

didn't

> like to be active because of her lack of balance. We have been doing

> Occupational Therapy for a few months mostly for the balance issue

and for

> some sensory issues as well. Anyhoo, the Occupational Therapist (OT)

did say

> that wearing the shoes and bar did exacerbate her progress, but only

because

> of the balance issue.

>

> Something very curious: she recently asked if Zoe slept on her back

with her

> feet splayed out and I reminded her that she had to sleep that way

when she

> was wearing the shoes for 3 years. Now she's a side sleeper since she

> stopped wearing the shoes. The OT said she has parents pin

children's pajama

> legs together if they sleep like she had to when wearing the shoes

and bar.

> I'll have to ask her why it's such a bad thing...

>

> So, I know that we've always said that the shoes and bar do not

interfere

> with normal development, but I guess the keyword is normal or

typical. Zoe's

> balance issue is not related to her clubfoot, but the clubfoot

treatment has

> definitely exacerbated her balance issue, so if your child is

lagging behind

> in gross motor skills, it wouldn't hurt to have him or her evaluated

just to

> make sure it's not something else.

>

> Hope this helps! Joanne W. mom to Zoe, 3-25-01, right clubfoot

> www.geocities.com/joannewalton2003/clubfootstory.html

February 16, 2005

How about the whole ankle to shin/calf thing.

I do rub my daughter's legs, any other suggestions?

Jennipher

Mommy to Lhea, BCF, shoes 18/7

Joanne Walton jowalton68@...> wrote:

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share in case I haven't already since the calf muscle issue

was brought up recently...

My daughter is now 3 3/4 with a right clubfoot. She is right foot dominant,

so I think that's helped to minimize the difference in her calf size, since

she uses her right foot more than her left. Recently, she received a small

scooter and she loves it! This is a child who does not do well with gross

motor coordination (see below). She scooters around the block a couple times

a day using her right leg to push. I was looking at her calves yesterday and

could no longer see a visible difference between them like I used to. The

scooter is perfect for very young children. It only supports up to 44

pounds. My daughter is nearly 42 pounds, so I'm going to be sad when she

can't use it anymore. I don't think I'll be able to get it away from her...

Here is the link to the scooter on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005B086/qid=1108525491/sr=8-1/r\

ef=pd_bbs_1/002-2287041-2892046?v=glance&s=toys&n=507846

It turns out that my daughter has an inner ear problem that affects her

balance, so she was a year behind in gross motor skills because she didn't

like to be active because of her lack of balance. We have been doing

Occupational Therapy for a few months mostly for the balance issue and for

some sensory issues as well. Anyhoo, the Occupational Therapist (OT) did say

that wearing the shoes and bar did exacerbate her progress, but only because

of the balance issue.

Something very curious: she recently asked if Zoe slept on her back with her

feet splayed out and I reminded her that she had to sleep that way when she

was wearing the shoes for 3 years. Now she's a side sleeper since she

stopped wearing the shoes. The OT said she has parents pin children's pajama

legs together if they sleep like she had to when wearing the shoes and bar.

I'll have to ask her why it's such a bad thing...

So, I know that we've always said that the shoes and bar do not interfere

with normal development, but I guess the keyword is normal or typical. Zoe's

balance issue is not related to her clubfoot, but the clubfoot treatment has

definitely exacerbated her balance issue, so if your child is lagging behind

in gross motor skills, it wouldn't hurt to have him or her evaluated just to

make sure it's not something else.

Hope this helps! Joanne W. mom to Zoe, 3-25-01, right clubfoot

www.geocities.com/joannewalton2003/clubfootstory.html

February 16, 2005

so i was wondering also.. my daughter's calfs don't really look that little

compared to the rest of her.. i was wondering if she lucked out or if she's just

not old enough for it to be obvious.. she is 14 months old... any ideas?

mommy to Grace 12-03-03 BCF

Raek and Jennipher Assria assrias@...> wrote:

How about the whole ankle to shin/calf thing.

I do rub my daughter's legs, any other suggestions?

Jennipher

Mommy to Lhea, BCF, shoes 18/7

lisa caroland

__________________________________________________

February 16, 2005

Hi ,

Apparantly, the way the children's feet are positioned in the shoes and bar

while they're sleeping is problematic. I will ask the OT to explain exactly

why. I think it has to do with the way the legs/hips are when the feet are

pointed to the side. For example " w " sitting is very bad for the knees, feet

and hips and can indicate a balance problem, which I didn't previously

realize. I just knew that children who sit on their knees with their feet

out to each side should be told to sit like a pretzel or sideways sit

because it was bad for the ligaments and hips. I didn't know that it was an

indication of an underlying problem...

Will try and give you examples at our next support group!

Best, Joanne

Message: 24

Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2005 03:48:30 -0800

From: susan.shook@...

Subject: Re: strengthening calf muscle/occupational therapy

Hello Joanne.

That is very interesting information. Why do you think the OT would pin

the PJ pants together? How would that make a difference? When their feet

are in the shoes and bar, they can't really move their legs that much

anyway. I'm not quite understanding that. sleeps on her stomach,

so I wonder if there is anything wrong with that. My guess would be no.

When did you discover Zoe's inner ear problem? Was that recent?

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

x374

fax

February 16, 2005

Hi .

I think it usually only affects unilateral clubfoot. With bilateral

clubfoot both calves are the same. Someone please correct me if I am

wrong. My daughter is bilateral and both calves are the same size.

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

x374

fax

February 16, 2005

I have to wonder... Darbi's calf did have less muscle tone when she was

born. But just barely. Now however you can't see the difference. I've

got to wonder if wearing the DBB and standing in it, allowing the ankle to

bend and using the calf muscles like she does... has that helped?

I also wonder if by treating her non-surgically, has her clubfoot been

allowed to grow more naturally and is this why there's no length difference

in her feet? I know she had a mild case of clubfoot, which could be part

of it. But I can't help but think that by putting the bones into their

proper place when she was so little that it's helped with these supposedly

inherent issues somehow. Maybe a little bit? And for Darbi, who only

needed a little bit of help now her foot and leg look exactly like the

normal one?

Are those who have more severe cases seeing the multiple size differences

that parents of surgically corrected children talk about? And the skinny

calf... do any of our babies/children who wear the DBB seeing huge

differences in calf muscle tone? It just seems like it'd minimize these

things a bit. Am I crazy?

Kori

At 11:40 AM 2/16/2005, you wrote:

>so i was wondering also.. my daughter's calfs don't really look that

>little compared to the rest of her.. i was wondering if she lucked out or

>if she's just not old enough for it to be obvious.. she is 14 months

>old... any ideas?

>

> mommy to Grace 12-03-03 BCF

>

>Raek and Jennipher Assria assrias@...> wrote:

>How about the whole ankle to shin/calf thing.

>I do rub my daughter's legs, any other suggestions?

>

>Jennipher

>Mommy to Lhea, BCF, shoes 18/7

>

>lisa caroland

>

>__________________________________________________

>

February 16, 2005

--- frogabog frogabog@...> wrote:

>

> Are those who have more severe cases seeing the multiple size differences

> that parents of surgically corrected children talk about? And the skinny

> calf... do any of our babies/children who wear the DBB seeing huge

> differences in calf muscle tone? It just seems like it'd minimize these

> things a bit. Am I crazy?

Rose didn't have a severe case, imo, but she does have a size difference in her

calves. She is six now, and we went through some therapy a little while back

to strengthen her clubfoot leg. There was quite a difference in strength at

that point, which has evened out now. Rose didn't receive treatment with Dr.

Ponseti until she was six months, and I do believe those six months caused some

damage.

So, in our case, I dunno if the dbb made a difference at all. I can post a

picture in cfpics if you'd like to see the difference in calf size.

Joy and Rose (1-30-99)

=====

http://www.geocities.com/joybelle15/rosesclubfootpage.html

__________________________________________________

February 16, 2005

hey susan... i have seen a 2 pictures of bilateral children and they had these

really bad nobby knees and the calf was almost non-existant and it looked really

bad... i am just wondering if it was just because they were under-developed or

because they were so skinny... ?? grace is petite for her proportions... she is

very tall though... but they just look like normal baby legs... actually her

calves are bigger around than her cousin who is 10 weeks younger... so i am

hoping that the differences won't be very much... i just don't want her to look

different... i know that is selfish but i can't help it... just for the

record... she has had the tenotomy (sp) done on each leg twice... and will be

going to the DBB soon... so who knows... thank you for your info though... i

have always said that since she had to be clubfoot i am thankful that she is

bilateral... so they will match... as crazy as that sounds...

mommy to Grace 12-03-03 BCF

susan.shook@... wrote:

Hi .

I think it usually only affects unilateral clubfoot. With bilateral

clubfoot both calves are the same. Someone please correct me if I am

wrong. My daughter is bilateral and both calves are the same size.

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

x374

fax

February 16, 2005

Kelsey's clubfoot is about 1 whole size smaller (maybe

a little more) than her other foot and there is a

noticeble difference in her calf size for sure. Now,

as she starts walking, I am not sure if that will even

out or not. She also has tibial torsion where her leg

bone curves in as well so I know that contributes to

her leg looking differently when you look at her

standing up.

Jenni

--- frogabog frogabog@...> wrote:

> I have to wonder... Darbi's calf did have less

> muscle tone when she was

> born. But just barely. Now however you can't see

> the difference. I've

> got to wonder if wearing the DBB and standing in it,

> allowing the ankle to

> bend and using the calf muscles like she does... has

> that helped?

>

> I also wonder if by treating her non-surgically, has

> her clubfoot been

> allowed to grow more naturally and is this why

> there's no length difference

> in her feet? I know she had a mild case of

> clubfoot, which could be part

> of it. But I can't help but think that by putting

> the bones into their

> proper place when she was so little that it's helped

> with these supposedly

> inherent issues somehow. Maybe a little bit? And

> for Darbi, who only

> needed a little bit of help now her foot and leg

> look exactly like the

> normal one?

>

> Are those who have more severe cases seeing the

> multiple size differences

> that parents of surgically corrected children talk

> about? And the skinny

> calf... do any of our babies/children who wear the

> DBB seeing huge

> differences in calf muscle tone? It just seems like

> it'd minimize these

> things a bit. Am I crazy?

>

> Kori

>

> At 11:40 AM 2/16/2005, you wrote:

>

> >so i was wondering also.. my daughter's calfs don't

> really look that

> >little compared to the rest of her.. i was

> wondering if she lucked out or

> >if she's just not old enough for it to be obvious..

> she is 14 months

> >old... any ideas?

> >

> > mommy to Grace 12-03-03 BCF

> >

> >Raek and Jennipher Assria assrias@...>

> wrote:

> >How about the whole ankle to shin/calf thing.

> >I do rub my daughter's legs, any other suggestions?

> >

> >Jennipher

> >Mommy to Lhea, BCF, shoes 18/7

> >

> >lisa caroland

> >

> >__________________________________________________

> >

February 16, 2005

I think most bilateral cf you can't really notice anything with the

calves since they were both affected, unless one is more severe and

has to be casted more, etc. It's mostly in unilateral where you can

tell a difference from the affected and non-affected legs.

Even in unilateral I think the difference is usually minimal in

Ponseti vs. surgical methods.

> How about the whole ankle to shin/calf thing.

> I do rub my daughter's legs, any other suggestions?

>

> Jennipher

> Mommy to Lhea, BCF, shoes 18/7

>

> lisa caroland

>

> __________________________________________________

>

February 16, 2005

I know one other adult who had clubfoot -- he was unilateral, treated

w/ Ponseti 30 some years ago and he notices a " slight " difference in

leg strength and size, the casual observer can't see it. My clubfoot

leg on the other hand, treated w/ casting, dbb, and multiple surgeries

has a VERY noticeable difference in size and strength. I did wear a

dbb but not 23/7 for 3 months, I think I only wore it at night.

The publications I've read on the subject show a very small size

difference in both foot, calf size, and leg length when using Ponseti

in the majority of cases. It has to be because of the early

non-invasive treatment. My orthopedist told me that my foot and leg

would never be the same because of the " deformity " , however I think

Ponseti has simply proven this wrong. I don't notice any difference

at all in Sammy's calves and there may be a 1-2 cm difference in his

feet instead of a 1 inch difference.

> >How about the whole ankle to shin/calf thing.

> >I do rub my daughter's legs, any other suggestions?

> >

> >Jennipher

> >Mommy to Lhea, BCF, shoes 18/7

> >

> >lisa caroland

> >

> >__________________________________________________

> >

February 16, 2005

A video Dr. Ponseti loaned to me showed examples of the calf muscle deformity

common with club foot, and in those unilateral examples the difference was very

pronounced. I think it just shows up in some kids more than others. 's

calves are both skinny; Everett on the other hand, his appear plump and normal.

Both boys are bcf.

s.

Re: strengthening calf muscle/occupational therapy

Hi .

I think it usually only affects unilateral clubfoot. With bilateral

clubfoot both calves are the same. Someone please correct me if I am

wrong. My daughter is bilateral and both calves are the same size.

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

x374

fax

February 16, 2005

wow... now that's something to ponder... thank you for your response...

mommy to Grace 12-03-03 BCF

jagrindon jagrindon@...> wrote: