Re: Need back-up re: bar length

[Guest guest]

We supply alot of the bars to the hospitals and orthotists. I side

with the global health pamphlet, in that it is the baby's heels that

need to be at about shoulder width. I also agree that there is

probably a comfort range of 2-3 inches, depending on the baby.

One thing that is confusing is inch length of a specified bar and the

effective length of heel seperation when you turn the feet out to 70

degrees. A standard 8 inch bar (gold or red) measures 8 inches from

center of hole or bolt to center of hole/bolt. However, after you turn

the feet out to 70 degrees external (assuming a bilateral case), The

effective heel to heel distance decreases to about 6 inches.

So if a baby measures 8 inches across at the shoulders, and is going

to have both feet turned out to 70 degrees, then a 10 inch bar is

probably indicated.

The whole problem can be avoided if the orthotics dept. or facility

either uses an adjustable bar, or keeps a small inventory of different

length bars. Whatever, is most comfortable for the baby is what should

be used.

I hope this helps and doesn't confuse the matter further.

Jay Markell

Markell Shoe Co.

[Guest guest]

Jay,

Thanks for your input! Perhaps we need to get you an Iowa-issued

instructional paper to send along with those bars so the orthotists

can read directions about how to set it up properly!!!!

Thanks for all your support!

& (3-16-00, left clubfoot)

>

> We supply alot of the bars to the hospitals and orthotists. I side

> with the global health pamphlet, in that it is the baby's heels

that

> need to be at about shoulder width. I also agree that there is

> probably a comfort range of 2-3 inches, depending on the baby.

>

> One thing that is confusing is inch length of a specified bar and

the

> effective length of heel seperation when you turn the feet out to

70

> degrees. A standard 8 inch bar (gold or red) measures 8 inches from

> center of hole or bolt to center of hole/bolt. However, after you

turn

> the feet out to 70 degrees external (assuming a bilateral case),

The

> effective heel to heel distance decreases to about 6 inches.

>

> So if a baby measures 8 inches across at the shoulders, and is

going

> to have both feet turned out to 70 degrees, then a 10 inch bar is

> probably indicated.

>

> The whole problem can be avoided if the orthotics dept. or facility

> either uses an adjustable bar, or keeps a small inventory of

different

> length bars. Whatever, is most comfortable for the baby is what

should

> be used.

>

> I hope this helps and doesn't confuse the matter further.

>

> Jay Markell

> Markell Shoe Co.

[Guest guest]

> One thing that is confusing is inch length of a specified bar and

the

> effective length of heel seperation when you turn the feet out to

70

> degrees. A standard 8 inch bar (gold or red) measures 8 inches from

> center of hole or bolt to center of hole/bolt. However, after you

turn

> the feet out to 70 degrees external (assuming a bilateral case),

The

> effective heel to heel distance decreases to about 6 inches.

>

> So if a baby measures 8 inches across at the shoulders, and is

going

> to have both feet turned out to 70 degrees, then a 10 inch bar is

> probably indicated.

>

Althougth this isn't what you're saying, it kind of goes along with

my original thinking in the whole matter...if you're measuring the

distance from heel to heel, what baby would ever use a 6 " bar? The

distance between my daughter's heels is maybe 3-4 " , and no baby's

shoulders are that narrow! And she's unilateral, a bilateral baby

with both sides set at 70* would be even less space between. That's

what made me prefer the bolt-to-bolt measurement...I figured the 6 "

bar must be for something! Plus we did the whole thing ourselves,

you know, turning our feet out and holding them at shoulder width &

seeing what was most comfy!

, mommy of:

Guinevere, on, Ava 8/4/04 RCF DBB 16-18/7