Re: Wheaton Brace ... Thoughts?

March 23, 2005

I am resending this with a new subject in the hopes I will get more

responses...

>

> I just got back from what I thought would be my son's 3rd casts

but

> the doctor said that he didn't need anymore. He has good

> dorsoflection(sp?) and his feet look straight. He said he had a

> mild case and doesn't need the DBB either. He gave him Wheaton

> braces for both feet and sent us on our way and said to come back

in

> 3 weeks.

>

> Has this ever happened to anyone? I am so happy but also a little

> thrown by this news.

>

> Caroline

> Son BiLateral clubfeet born 2/25/05

March 23, 2005

Hi Caroline.

I didn't respond the first time because I don't know what the Wheaton

Brace is. I have heard it mentioned before, but I have no idea what it

looks like or what its used for exactly. However, not knowing the Wheaton

brace doesn't change the fact that if your son was diagnosed with

clubfoot, then I think the FAB should be used if you are following true

Ponseti protocol. Have you thought about emailing pictures to Dr. Ponseti

to get his opinion? It certainly couldn't hurt. Or, you can get a second

opinion from another Ponseti Certified doctor. I think that would put

your mind at ease. Also, like some others have said, you don't want to

have to deal with a relapse in the future. Dr. Ponseti could agree with

your doctor and that would be wonderful! But if it were me, I would be

cautious and at least get a second opinion.

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

x374

fax

March 23, 2005

,

FYI - the Wheaton Brace is an AFO. Here's a link to their website which

shows it well. http://www.wheatonbrace.com/products/wbrace.html

:~}

Kori

At 10:07 AM 3/23/2005, you wrote:

>Hi Caroline.

>I didn't respond the first time because I don't know what the Wheaton

>Brace is. I have heard it mentioned before, but I have no idea what it

>looks like or what its used for exactly. However, not knowing the Wheaton

>brace doesn't change the fact that if your son was diagnosed with

>clubfoot, then I think the FAB should be used if you are following true

>Ponseti protocol. Have you thought about emailing pictures to Dr. Ponseti

>to get his opinion? It certainly couldn't hurt. Or, you can get a second

>opinion from another Ponseti Certified doctor. I think that would put

>your mind at ease. Also, like some others have said, you don't want to

>have to deal with a relapse in the future. Dr. Ponseti could agree with

>your doctor and that would be wonderful! But if it were me, I would be

>cautious and at least get a second opinion.

>

>Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

>

> Shook

>Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

>Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

>2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

>Vienna, VA 22182

> x374

> fax

>

March 23, 2005

Thanks for the info Kori!

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

x374

fax

March 23, 2005

(Clubfoot: Ponseti Management. Global-Help Publication)

" Alternatives to foot abduction brace:

Some surgeons have tried to " improve " Ponseti management by modifying

the brace protocol or by using different braces. They think that the

child will be more comfortable without the bar................. Some

braces are no better than the shoes by themselves............... If

well fitted, the knee-ankel-foot braces, such as the Wheaton brace,

maintain the foot abducted and externally rotated. However, the knee-

ankel-foot braces keep the knee bent in 90 degrees of flexion. This

position causes the gastrocnemius muscle and Achilles tendon to

atrophy and shorten, leading to recurrence of the equinus deformity.

This is particulary a problem if a knee-ankel-foot brace is used

during the initial 3 months of bracing, when the braces are worn full

time.

In summary, only the brace as described by Ponseti is an acceptable

brace for Ponseti management and should be worn at night until the

child is 3 to 4 years of age. "

Cristina and (BCF 16 March 2.002, DBB nights only)

http://www.piezambo.com

>

> I am resending this with a new subject in the hopes I will get more

> responses...

>