Wheaton Brace...Thoughts...

[Guest guest]

Thank you for all the responses..

Well, we had the Wheaton brace for 6 days and his right foot (the

one that was a little worse) turned back in. The left seemed to

stay straight.

I called our Dr. and we went back yesterday and had the casts done

on both feet again. I basically told him that I have learned so

much about the Ponseti method and heard so many bad experiences on

this site, where it wasn't followed and I would like to just stick

with all the casts and the DBB afterward just like the Ponseti

method says. My son may not need the Tentomy (sp?) because he has

good dorsoflexion already but that will be up for discussion later.

I did send an email the Dr. Ponseti and he said I could send

pictures - he will be out of the country but an associate will look

at them for me and tell me what their opinion is. He basically said

the Wheaton brace was useless, which, I have seen first hand.

I got so excited about no more casts that I was a little " clouded "

in my judgement but I'm bad now and I will try and stick to my guns

with this Dr.. The good thing is that he seems willing to listen to

my opinions and do what I ask (funny I'm telling the Dr. how to

treat my son!)

Thanks again,

Caroline

- 4 weeks - bi-cf

>

>

> >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

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I'm glad you got rid of that brace, but sorry it set you back, also. As far as

the tenotomy, I'm a bit confused. In my (limited) knowledge, if a tenotomy is

needed, the dr. knows that and performs it prior to the DBB use. If the baby

needs a tenotomy but doesn't get it prior to the DBB, the DBB will only cause

problems and further set backs. Anyway, I'm no expert.

s.

Wheaton Brace...Thoughts...

Thank you for all the responses..

Well, we had the Wheaton brace for 6 days and his right foot (the

one that was a little worse) turned back in. The left seemed to

stay straight.

I called our Dr. and we went back yesterday and had the casts done

on both feet again. I basically told him that I have learned so

much about the Ponseti method and heard so many bad experiences on

this site, where it wasn't followed and I would like to just stick

with all the casts and the DBB afterward just like the Ponseti

method says. My son may not need the Tentomy (sp?) because he has

good dorsoflexion already but that will be up for discussion later.

I did send an email the Dr. Ponseti and he said I could send

pictures - he will be out of the country but an associate will look

at them for me and tell me what their opinion is. He basically said

the Wheaton brace was useless, which, I have seen first hand.

I got so excited about no more casts that I was a little " clouded "

in my judgement but I'm bad now and I will try and stick to my guns

with this Dr.. The good thing is that he seems willing to listen to

my opinions and do what I ask (funny I'm telling the Dr. how to

treat my son!)

Thanks again,

Caroline

- 4 weeks - bi-cf

>

>

> >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

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Caroline.

It's great that you have discovered that so soon and are 'sticking to your

guns' with the doctor. Who knows, you may be educating him along with

yourself! If he/she is willing to learn than that is the type of doctor

you want to take your child to.

I wanted to give you another heads up....................Make sure the

feet in his last cast are at 70 degrees. If not, he will have trouble

going into the DBB. Did the doctor say how more sets of casts will be

needed to correct the relapse?

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

x374

x374

fax

[Guest guest]

Yes, we will know in the next couple of weeks if the Tenotomy is

needed. Right now it doesn't look like it because he has good

dorsoflexion. If we need it, it will be done before the DBB.

Caroline

> >

> >

> > >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

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for the support. I did mention to him that we would be

casting to 70 degrees and he didn't sound positive. This will be

something I will probably have to insist on as well. He wanted to

just put him in the DBB and then weekly increase the rotation to 70

degrees in those and I know this is not correct so I will be talking

to him about that as well.

Thankfully the relapse was only 6 days lost. I don't know how many

more casts and he didn't say. I am thinking probably only 2 more

but then again I'm no doctor!!

Do you know of anyone not having to have the Tenotomy? The doctor

said that has good dorsoflexion which is what the tenotomy is

done to correct. I think he said it's about 20 degrees. It looks

good to me too.

Caroline

> Caroline.

>

> It's great that you have discovered that so soon and are 'sticking

to your

> guns' with the doctor. Who knows, you may be educating him along

with

> yourself! If he/she is willing to learn than that is the type of

doctor

> you want to take your child to.

>

> I wanted to give you another heads up....................Make sure

the

> feet in his last cast are at 70 degrees. If not, he will have

trouble

> going into the DBB. Did the doctor say how more sets of casts

will be

> needed to correct the relapse?

>

>

>

>

>

> Shook

> Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

> Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

> 2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

> Vienna, VA 22182

> x374

> x374

> fax

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Caroline.

Do you have a copy of the global-help booklet,

http://www.global-help.org/publications/ponseti-cf.html

You may want to bring a copy to your doctor to show him how the last cast

at 70 degrees should look. That rotation MUST be done from the

casting/manipulation process. The feet have to be at the 70 degrees

before going into the shoes, he cannot slowing turn the shoes out to 70

degrees. If he is unable to achieve the 70 degree rotation from

casting/manipulation, you may want to consider another doctor.

There are many cases when no tenotomy is needed. Usually in mild cases.

If the dorsiflexion is 20, that is very good.

Hope this helps!

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

x374

x374

fax

[Guest guest]

Caroline,

Forgive me for butting in and making assumptions, but it doesn't

sound like your doctor really understands the Ponseti method

completely if he doesn't think he can cast the foot to 70 degrees.

Have your son's casts been pointing the toes downward and outward,

or have they been casting him so that the foot is in a " neutral "

position? Using the P method, doctors " untwist " the bones of the

foot in a certain order in order to achieve the correction- they

don't just push the foot to neutral and hope it stays there.

Just curious- Are there any doctors on Ponseti's list who are within

driving distance from your home that you might seek a second opinion

from?

I agree with 's suggestion about the Global HELP booklet- print

it out, take it to the doctor, and have him compare the step by step

process described in that booklet to what his protocol is and

explain it to you.

Keep us posted!

& (3-16-00, left clubfoot, switched to Ponseti method at

4 mo. old)

http://ponseticlubfoot.freeservers.com/

> > Caroline.

> >

> > It's great that you have discovered that so soon and

are 'sticking

> to your

> > guns' with the doctor. Who knows, you may be educating him

along

> with

> > yourself! If he/she is willing to learn than that is the type

of

> doctor

> > you want to take your child to.

> >

> > I wanted to give you another heads up....................Make

sure

> the

> > feet in his last cast are at 70 degrees. If not, he will have

> trouble

> > going into the DBB. Did the doctor say how more sets of casts

> will be

> > needed to correct the relapse?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Shook

> > Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

> > Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

> > 2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

> > Vienna, VA 22182

> > x374

> > x374

> > fax

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Very important point you made - the bones are moved systematically! Not just

shoved in to a spot that looks right!

s.

Re: Wheaton Brace...Thoughts...

Caroline,

Forgive me for butting in and making assumptions, but it doesn't

sound like your doctor really understands the Ponseti method

completely if he doesn't think he can cast the foot to 70 degrees.

Have your son's casts been pointing the toes downward and outward,

or have they been casting him so that the foot is in a " neutral "

position? Using the P method, doctors " untwist " the bones of the

foot in a certain order in order to achieve the correction- they

don't just push the foot to neutral and hope it stays there.

Just curious- Are there any doctors on Ponseti's list who are within

driving distance from your home that you might seek a second opinion

from?

I agree with 's suggestion about the Global HELP booklet- print

it out, take it to the doctor, and have him compare the step by step

process described in that booklet to what his protocol is and

explain it to you.

Keep us posted!

& (3-16-00, left clubfoot, switched to Ponseti method at

4 mo. old)

http://ponseticlubfoot.freeservers.com/

> > Caroline.

> >

> > It's great that you have discovered that so soon and

are 'sticking

> to your

> > guns' with the doctor. Who knows, you may be educating him

along

> with

> > yourself! If he/she is willing to learn than that is the type

of

> doctor

> > you want to take your child to.

> >

> > I wanted to give you another heads up....................Make

sure

> the

> > feet in his last cast are at 70 degrees. If not, he will have

> trouble

> > going into the DBB. Did the doctor say how more sets of casts

> will be

> > needed to correct the relapse?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Shook

> > Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

> > Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

> > 2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

> > Vienna, VA 22182

> > x374

> > x374

> > fax

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

It's not that our Dr. doesn't think he can cast his feet to

70degrees but rather he's not sure it's necessary since my son's

clubfeet seem to mild. I do think that his is rotating the foot

correctly. Currently the casts look like the feet are point outward

some but are not really pointing down. I think this may be because

he has such good dorsoflexion, it may not be necessary.

I have been thinking a lot about getting a 2nd opinion lately. I

would have to drive a few hours but that really doesn't seem too bad

to get the peace of mind.

Caroline

> > > Caroline.

> > >

> > > It's great that you have discovered that so soon and

> are 'sticking

> > to your

> > > guns' with the doctor. Who knows, you may be educating him

> along

> > with

> > > yourself! If he/she is willing to learn than that is the type

> of

> > doctor

> > > you want to take your child to.

> > >

> > > I wanted to give you another heads up....................Make

> sure

> > the

> > > feet in his last cast are at 70 degrees. If not, he will have

> > trouble

> > > going into the DBB. Did the doctor say how more sets of casts

> > will be

> > > needed to correct the relapse?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Shook

> > > Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

> > > Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

> > > 2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

> > > Vienna, VA 22182

> > > x374

> > > x374

> > > fax

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Caroline,

I think that the downward rotation has more to do with getting the

bones to clear the head of the talus versus the dorsiflexion- but I

am by *NO MEANS* a doctor or an expert. I just remember Dr. Ponseti

showing us with the little plastic skeletal model how they move the

bones in a certain way to get them to clear each other. I also

think that the 70° outward rotation is a rule regardless of severity.

At any rate- this is just my own opinion and ramblings, of course.

I think if you've got a good dr. within driving distance, it would

be worth your while for that peace of mind to seek them out at least

for one consultation- sooner rather than later. =)

Keep us posted!!!

& (3-16-00, left clubfoot)

>

> It's not that our Dr. doesn't think he can cast his feet to

> 70degrees but rather he's not sure it's necessary since my son's

> clubfeet seem to mild. I do think that his is rotating the foot

> correctly. Currently the casts look like the feet are point

outward

> some but are not really pointing down. I think this may be

because

> he has such good dorsoflexion, it may not be necessary.

>

> I have been thinking a lot about getting a 2nd opinion lately. I

> would have to drive a few hours but that really doesn't seem too

bad

> to get the peace of mind.

>

> Caroline

[Guest guest]

Agreed, our first otho just shoved the foot and then my baby would be in pain

for two weeks. Then we would go and do it again. Just so glad we ditched him

and found a Ponseti doc to cast the foot. Watching Dr. Showalter manipulate a

foot is like magic, very natural.

Mom to Tenny 7/15/14 rt cf. dbb 23/7

and the rest of the monkeys I claim occasionally

Re: Wheaton Brace...Thoughts...

Caroline,

Forgive me for butting in and making assumptions, but it doesn't

sound like your doctor really understands the Ponseti method

completely if he doesn't think he can cast the foot to 70 degrees.

Have your son's casts been pointing the toes downward and outward,

or have they been casting him so that the foot is in a " neutral "

position? Using the P method, doctors " untwist " the bones of the

foot in a certain order in order to achieve the correction- they

don't just push the foot to neutral and hope it stays there.

Just curious- Are there any doctors on Ponseti's list who are within

driving distance from your home that you might seek a second opinion

from?

I agree with 's suggestion about the Global HELP booklet- print

it out, take it to the doctor, and have him compare the step by step

process described in that booklet to what his protocol is and

explain it to you.

Keep us posted!

& (3-16-00, left clubfoot, switched to Ponseti method at

4 mo. old)

http://ponseticlubfoot.freeservers.com/

> > Caroline.

> >

> > It's great that you have discovered that so soon and

are 'sticking

> to your

> > guns' with the doctor. Who knows, you may be educating him

along

> with

> > yourself! If he/she is willing to learn than that is the type

of

> doctor

> > you want to take your child to.

> >

> > I wanted to give you another heads up....................Make

sure

> the

> > feet in his last cast are at 70 degrees. If not, he will have

> trouble

> > going into the DBB. Did the doctor say how more sets of casts

> will be

> > needed to correct the relapse?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Shook

> > Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

> > Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

> > 2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

> > Vienna, VA 22182

> > x374

> > x374

> > fax

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I have a quick question. I thought I knew what dorsoflex meant, but now I don't

know. Is it how far the foot will point or how far you can flex it or bend it?

My son's foot bends really far, but he is kind of tight when we point it. We

are going to see our dr. on Monday because we are concerned about his feet

starting to pull up and tighten. I just wanted to go with as much info. and

lingo as possible. I hope everything is good because we have 3 weeks of 23/7

left. He has not had a tenotomy yet, and Dr. Ponseti told us to talk with our

dr. about this. Has anyone been in the shoes, then had a tenotomy because the

foot changed? Do you have to go back to 23/7 for another 3 months? I hope not!

Re: Wheaton Brace...Thoughts...

It's not that our Dr. doesn't think he can cast his feet to

70degrees but rather he's not sure it's necessary since my son's

clubfeet seem to mild. I do think that his is rotating the foot

correctly. Currently the casts look like the feet are point outward

some but are not really pointing down. I think this may be because

he has such good dorsoflexion, it may not be necessary.

I have been thinking a lot about getting a 2nd opinion lately. I

would have to drive a few hours but that really doesn't seem too bad

to get the peace of mind.

Caroline

> > > Caroline.

> > >

> > > It's great that you have discovered that so soon and

> are 'sticking

> > to your

> > > guns' with the doctor. Who knows, you may be educating him

> along

> > with

> > > yourself! If he/she is willing to learn than that is the type

> of

> > doctor

> > > you want to take your child to.

> > >

> > > I wanted to give you another heads up....................Make

> sure

> > the

> > > feet in his last cast are at 70 degrees. If not, he will have

> > trouble

> > > going into the DBB. Did the doctor say how more sets of casts

> > will be

> > > needed to correct the relapse?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Shook

> > > Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

> > > Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

> > > 2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

> > > Vienna, VA 22182

> > > x374

> > > x374

> > > fax

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

I would do it. 2nd opinion - better safe than sorry.

s.

Re: Wheaton Brace...Thoughts...

It's not that our Dr. doesn't think he can cast his feet to

70degrees but rather he's not sure it's necessary since my son's

clubfeet seem to mild. I do think that his is rotating the foot

correctly. Currently the casts look like the feet are point outward

some but are not really pointing down. I think this may be because

he has such good dorsoflexion, it may not be necessary.

I have been thinking a lot about getting a 2nd opinion lately. I

would have to drive a few hours but that really doesn't seem too bad

to get the peace of mind.

Caroline

> > > Caroline.

> > >

> > > It's great that you have discovered that so soon and

> are 'sticking

> > to your

> > > guns' with the doctor. Who knows, you may be educating him

> along

> > with

> > > yourself! If he/she is willing to learn than that is the type

> of

> > doctor

> > > you want to take your child to.

> > >

> > > I wanted to give you another heads up....................Make

> sure

> > the

> > > feet in his last cast are at 70 degrees. If not, he will have

> > trouble

> > > going into the DBB. Did the doctor say how more sets of casts

> > will be

> > > needed to correct the relapse?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Shook

> > > Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

> > > Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

> > > 2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

> > > Vienna, VA 22182

> > > x374

> > > x374

> > > fax

> > >

> > >