Re: The DDB SUCKS!

March 31, 2005

I am so sorry that you are having these problems. I wanted to burn that

contraption my times when we first started it with Kelsey. We did not have the

red mark problems at first but we had the narrow width shoes. Do you have the

Markells with an N with or the regular M? Perhaps the narrow shoes might help

with this. We have the regular width shoes now and Kelsey does seem to be

having problems with red marks on the tops of her feet for the first time so

perhaps the narrow shoe is the key.

Hope that helps,

Jenni

The DDB SUCKS!

Sorry about that subject line, but I'm really frustrated and upset

about the DDB. I feel like I'm placing my happy little baby into a

torture chamber. The casting part was a breeze, but this DDB crap

really bites!

Last night, my husband and I ended up taking Aleksander back to the

doctor to have his feet looked at again. He had red marks on his heels

AGAIN, so we thought we'd take him in a quickly as possible. They

ended up giving us new shoes, even though he'd only worn the other pair

for about 4 days total (3 days the first time around and 1 this time).

He still has the red marks on his heels, but isn't screaming like he

did last time.

I wanted to find out if anyone else has had problems with these red

marks, and if they will go away in time, assuming the shoes are fitting

properly now.

We're going to really try to make the Markell's work, but so far I am

not really very confident that we'll have much success with them.

We have been told that Aleksander has extremely narrow feet, which is

supposedly rare among babies with clubfoot. It is possible that due to

the narrowness of his feet, the other shoes were too big (even though

they were size 00!), and that is what the problem was. He's grown

quite a bit since he got those 00 shoes, and is now in a size 0. Is it

possible that his feet were just too small before? Or has anyone ever

gotten shoes that were simply defective?

Otherwise, Aleksander is doing really well with the shoes. He's

already kicking his feet together and had adjusted to that part

extremely quickly. He's a resiliant boy, and always adjusts to things

within a day or two. He's also not crying inconsolibly like he did

last time, and he's been eating like he usually does - which wasn't the

case last time.

That said, how long do I give him in these shoes before I insist on the

's?

March 31, 2005

I'll look at the shoes when I get home. I know the last ones weren't

narrow, but perhaps these are. I've already told them that the next

time he goes up a size, they should have the narrow shoes available

for him just in case.

I've called Aleksander's daycare twice today and he's doing better

than yesterday, so perhaps the new shoes are working. I also put

liquid bandage stuff on the red marks so he won't have any skin

breakdown. I think that is helping too. Poor little guy has such

sensitive skin on top of everything else.

I imagined, with great glee, burning the DDB and shoes too, but I

relish the thought of blowing them into little pieces even more!

I really am a very non-violent person by nature, but something about

these shoes makes me want to do extreme harm to them!

> I am so sorry that you are having these problems. I wanted to

burn that contraption my times when we first started it with Kelsey.

We did not have the red mark problems at first but we had the narrow

width shoes. Do you have the Markells with an N with or the regular

M? Perhaps the narrow shoes might help with this. We have the

regular width shoes now and Kelsey does seem to be having problems

with red marks on the tops of her feet for the first time so perhaps

the narrow shoe is the key.

>

> Hope that helps,

>

> Jenni

>

> The DDB SUCKS!

>

> Sorry about that subject line, but I'm really frustrated and upset

> about the DDB. I feel like I'm placing my happy little baby into a

> torture chamber. The casting part was a breeze, but this DDB crap

> really bites!

>

> Last night, my husband and I ended up taking Aleksander back to the

> doctor to have his feet looked at again. He had red marks on his

heels

> AGAIN, so we thought we'd take him in a quickly as possible. They

> ended up giving us new shoes, even though he'd only worn the other

pair

> for about 4 days total (3 days the first time around and 1 this

time).

>

> He still has the red marks on his heels, but isn't screaming like

he

> did last time.

>

> I wanted to find out if anyone else has had problems with these red

> marks, and if they will go away in time, assuming the shoes are

fitting

> properly now.

>

> We're going to really try to make the Markell's work, but so far I

am

> not really very confident that we'll have much success with them.

>

> We have been told that Aleksander has extremely narrow feet, which

is

> supposedly rare among babies with clubfoot. It is possible that

due to

> the narrowness of his feet, the other shoes were too big (even

though

> they were size 00!), and that is what the problem was. He's grown

> quite a bit since he got those 00 shoes, and is now in a size 0.

Is it

> possible that his feet were just too small before? Or has anyone

ever

> gotten shoes that were simply defective?

>

> Otherwise, Aleksander is doing really well with the shoes. He's

> already kicking his feet together and had adjusted to that part

> extremely quickly. He's a resiliant boy, and always adjusts to

things

> within a day or two. He's also not crying inconsolibly like he did

> last time, and he's been eating like he usually does - which wasn't

the

> case last time.

>

> That said, how long do I give him in these shoes before I insist on

the

> 's?

>

March 31, 2005

OK time to just bite it and cut the hole in the back if these are still

making spots. Just remove the pressure points. It may be the only way

till his feet are bigger and the heel better formed. Also, did they give

you the narrows or the mediums? He may need the narrows. They will have

to special order them.

I'm sure I sent you a copy of the tips. Right? Also, that area where the

sores were is very sensitive after healing. Which may be part of why the

marks are returning. I healed Darbi's sores up with 2w of healing casts

and promptly gave her a new sore. That's when I cut the hole. Worked like

a charm. I should have done it weeks before I did.

A foot that fits in the 00 is not a small foot. They make these in 0000's

now, so no way he's too small for the shoes. Darbi's first pair were a 00

and she has rather large feet for a CF baby.

Does he have the new shoes or the old ones with the seam down the inside

heel? Also, did they put plastizode inserts in? If so, while it might be

important for the old style shoes, it may be what is causing the pressure

on his heel in the new style shoes.

It will get better. Hang in there. It is less likely that the shoes are

defective than some other cause. The old style shoes weren't as soft and

nice as the new ones and they've put a lot of effort into making them

bumpless inside. It's more likely one of the standard problems causing his

difficulties, which have been discussed here numerous times. Just keep

checking his feet, using the bent knee/dorsiflexed foot/tight as can be

application process and double/triple check them after buckling and lacing

to make sure they won't come off and don't move.

I am with you on the torture chamber thing, I felt great animosity toward

the brace at first. My daughter went through quite a bit of hell before I

figured it out. She was in pain for WEEKS. But in the end she was

happy. Which is why I say just cut the darn hole. It can't hurt, and

always helps. And someday you will absolutely like the brace, perhaps even

love it for what it can do for your little guy.

Hugs,

Kori

At 11:07 AM 3/31/2005, you wrote:

>Sorry about that subject line, but I'm really frustrated and upset

>about the DDB. I feel like I'm placing my happy little baby into a

>torture chamber. The casting part was a breeze, but this DDB crap

>really bites!

>

>Last night, my husband and I ended up taking Aleksander back to the

>doctor to have his feet looked at again. He had red marks on his heels

>AGAIN, so we thought we'd take him in a quickly as possible. They

>ended up giving us new shoes, even though he'd only worn the other pair

>for about 4 days total (3 days the first time around and 1 this time).

>

>He still has the red marks on his heels, but isn't screaming like he

>did last time.

>

>I wanted to find out if anyone else has had problems with these red

>marks, and if they will go away in time, assuming the shoes are fitting

>properly now.

>

>We're going to really try to make the Markell's work, but so far I am

>not really very confident that we'll have much success with them.

>

>We have been told that Aleksander has extremely narrow feet, which is

>supposedly rare among babies with clubfoot. It is possible that due to

>the narrowness of his feet, the other shoes were too big (even though

>they were size 00!), and that is what the problem was. He's grown

>quite a bit since he got those 00 shoes, and is now in a size 0. Is it

>possible that his feet were just too small before? Or has anyone ever

>gotten shoes that were simply defective?

>

>Otherwise, Aleksander is doing really well with the shoes. He's

>already kicking his feet together and had adjusted to that part

>extremely quickly. He's a resiliant boy, and always adjusts to things

>within a day or two. He's also not crying inconsolibly like he did

>last time, and he's been eating like he usually does - which wasn't the

>case last time.

>

>That said, how long do I give him in these shoes before I insist on the

>'s?

>

March 31, 2005

I do have the sheet with the tips, and if these red spots get any

worse, I'll be cutting the hole immediately.

My husband was wondering if the spots were in the same area in which

he had the tenotomy. That may be the issue as well if he has some

sensitivity there. But, the spots are more on the outside of the

heel, not in the center.

I think he must have the older version of the shoes because they do

have a seem in the back, and the padding around the heel. They did

replace the padding with softer material, and moved it down

considerably. They think that padding may be what caused the

problems in the last pair.

I'm quite confident he's got the shoes on properly this time...not

sure about last time, but this time he hasn't budged in them. His

toes are in the exact same spot every time I check him, and the only

blister-like spot he had was on his toe, which was because he's a big

toe curler and was rubbing on the tongue of the shoe. They put some

extra padding on that shoe on the tongue and that redness is gone

already.

I know these shoes are necessary, and I often explain to people that

the DDB is just like a retainer for his feet. Just like after you

have braces on your teeth, you need to wear a retainer all the time

at first, and then only wear it at night. I know the DDB is good,

and that this whole treatment is tons better than the alternatives,

but it still sucks!

Boy, I do sound like a petulant little child, don't I? I'm sure

things will get better once everything is adjusted properly. I'm

just short on patience right now!

>

> >Sorry about that subject line, but I'm really frustrated and upset

> >about the DDB. I feel like I'm placing my happy little baby into a

> >torture chamber. The casting part was a breeze, but this DDB crap

> >really bites!

> >

> >Last night, my husband and I ended up taking Aleksander back to the

> >doctor to have his feet looked at again. He had red marks on his

heels

> >AGAIN, so we thought we'd take him in a quickly as possible. They

> >ended up giving us new shoes, even though he'd only worn the other

pair

> >for about 4 days total (3 days the first time around and 1 this

time).

> >

> >He still has the red marks on his heels, but isn't screaming like

he

> >did last time.

> >

> >I wanted to find out if anyone else has had problems with these red

> >marks, and if they will go away in time, assuming the shoes are

fitting

> >properly now.

> >

> >We're going to really try to make the Markell's work, but so far I

am

> >not really very confident that we'll have much success with them.

> >

> >We have been told that Aleksander has extremely narrow feet, which

is

> >supposedly rare among babies with clubfoot. It is possible that

due to

> >the narrowness of his feet, the other shoes were too big (even

though

> >they were size 00!), and that is what the problem was. He's grown

> >quite a bit since he got those 00 shoes, and is now in a size 0.

Is it

> >possible that his feet were just too small before? Or has anyone

ever

> >gotten shoes that were simply defective?

> >

> >Otherwise, Aleksander is doing really well with the shoes. He's

> >already kicking his feet together and had adjusted to that part

> >extremely quickly. He's a resiliant boy, and always adjusts to

things

> >within a day or two. He's also not crying inconsolibly like he did

> >last time, and he's been eating like he usually does - which

wasn't the

> >case last time.

> >

> >That said, how long do I give him in these shoes before I insist

on the

> >'s?

> >

March 31, 2005

Tell the brace shop they're giving you shoes that haven't been MADE since

before Oct. 03. So they need to order you a new pair of shoes from

Markell, make sure they're narrows and you aren't interested in paying

again for shoes. They should not be trying to get rid of their old stock

and those old style shoes are not nearly as nice as the new ones. Darbi

got her sore in old style shoes too. The new ones... not a

problem. Sorry, but that ticks me off. Your second pair and you've had

major issues, and they are STILL giving you substandard shoes. Ohhh... I'd

tear someone a new one if it were me...

No wonder you're still mad. Stay mad! just channel your madness toward

the people who aren't doing your child any good because they're stingy. No

wonder they were so happy to give you a new pair.

The new ones don't need the plastizode normally. So there's not so much

that will press into the foot in the first place as long as the heel is

seated properly.

The padding should be at the top of the boot. lower isn't necessarily good

because what happens when the heel rises up is the plastizode presses too

low on the back of the ankle and causes a sore. Artificially placing the

insert lower doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

Just get them to give you good NEW shoes. It's their problem if they

ordered too many of the old style. Not yours, and certainly not your

child's. GRRRRRRR!!!

Kori

At 11:56 AM 3/31/2005, you wrote:

>I do have the sheet with the tips, and if these red spots get any

>worse, I'll be cutting the hole immediately.

>

>My husband was wondering if the spots were in the same area in which

>he had the tenotomy. That may be the issue as well if he has some

>sensitivity there. But, the spots are more on the outside of the

>heel, not in the center.

>

>I think he must have the older version of the shoes because they do

>have a seem in the back, and the padding around the heel. They did

>replace the padding with softer material, and moved it down

>considerably. They think that padding may be what caused the

>problems in the last pair.

>

>I'm quite confident he's got the shoes on properly this time...not

>sure about last time, but this time he hasn't budged in them. His

>toes are in the exact same spot every time I check him, and the only

>blister-like spot he had was on his toe, which was because he's a big

>toe curler and was rubbing on the tongue of the shoe. They put some

>extra padding on that shoe on the tongue and that redness is gone

>already.

>

>I know these shoes are necessary, and I often explain to people that

>the DDB is just like a retainer for his feet. Just like after you

>have braces on your teeth, you need to wear a retainer all the time

>at first, and then only wear it at night. I know the DDB is good,

>and that this whole treatment is tons better than the alternatives,

>but it still sucks!

>

>Boy, I do sound like a petulant little child, don't I? I'm sure

>things will get better once everything is adjusted properly. I'm

>just short on patience right now!

>

> >

> > >Sorry about that subject line, but I'm really frustrated and upset

> > >about the DDB. I feel like I'm placing my happy little baby into a

> > >torture chamber. The casting part was a breeze, but this DDB crap

> > >really bites!

> > >

> > >Last night, my husband and I ended up taking Aleksander back to the

> > >doctor to have his feet looked at again. He had red marks on his

>heels

> > >AGAIN, so we thought we'd take him in a quickly as possible. They

> > >ended up giving us new shoes, even though he'd only worn the other

>pair

> > >for about 4 days total (3 days the first time around and 1 this

>time).

> > >

> > >He still has the red marks on his heels, but isn't screaming like

>he

> > >did last time.

> > >

> > >I wanted to find out if anyone else has had problems with these red

> > >marks, and if they will go away in time, assuming the shoes are

>fitting

> > >properly now.

> > >

> > >We're going to really try to make the Markell's work, but so far I

>am

> > >not really very confident that we'll have much success with them.

> > >

> > >We have been told that Aleksander has extremely narrow feet, which

>is

> > >supposedly rare among babies with clubfoot. It is possible that

>due to

> > >the narrowness of his feet, the other shoes were too big (even

>though

> > >they were size 00!), and that is what the problem was. He's grown

> > >quite a bit since he got those 00 shoes, and is now in a size 0.

>Is it

> > >possible that his feet were just too small before? Or has anyone

>ever

> > >gotten shoes that were simply defective?

> > >

> > >Otherwise, Aleksander is doing really well with the shoes. He's

> > >already kicking his feet together and had adjusted to that part

> > >extremely quickly. He's a resiliant boy, and always adjusts to

>things

> > >within a day or two. He's also not crying inconsolibly like he did

> > >last time, and he's been eating like he usually does - which

>wasn't the

> > >case last time.

> > >

> > >That said, how long do I give him in these shoes before I insist

>on the

> > >'s?

> > >

March 31, 2005

We used blister Band-Aids for several weeks on Tori's heals until the

shoes got broken in and then didn't have a problem.

March 31, 2005

Is the seam on the inside of the shoe or the outside on the new

shoes? I was just at the Markell site, and we may have the new

shoes, rather than the old. The seam I was referring to is on the

outside of the shoe, smack down the middle of the heal. The inside

is smooth like the ones on the Markell site. I don't see a picture

of the outside so I'm not sure which shoes he has.

They do have the insert at the heel though. I'm not sure if the

shoes came with that or not. Also, the second pair we got do look

different than the first, and not just in size. The buckles are

slightly different, and the way the strap works is also slightly

different. Perhaps the first pair were the old ones and these are

the new....

Either way, I do have some problems with the brace department. They

were trying to tell me last night that if these don't work, we may

try the AFO's or Wheaton brace. I told them in no uncertain terms

that we will be trying the 's if these don't work. The

doctor is on board with that decision so at least she is listening

and following the proper procedures!

Despite all of the problems we're having, I'm so happy with my little

guy's perfect feet. They are so beautiful, and he has great

dorsiflection (30 degrees), and loves to move them around and kicks

all over the place. I just want him to continue to have success with

his treatment - and to be comfortable in the process.

But believe me, if I find out he doesn't have the newest version of

the shoes that are available, I'll be at their door first thing

tomorrow morning with information on how they can order them.

They'll have a very tough time telling me no too! I don't take no

for an answer and just keep on talking to different people until I

get what I want...or keep bothering people until they give in. I did

that once for work and ended up getting over $10,000 in credits on

phone bills for the company....and caused several people to either

leave Qwest or move to a different department so they didn't have to

deal with me. Thinking about that still makes me smile!

> > >

> > > >Sorry about that subject line, but I'm really frustrated and

upset

> > > >about the DDB. I feel like I'm placing my happy little baby

into a

> > > >torture chamber. The casting part was a breeze, but this DDB

crap

> > > >really bites!

> > > >

> > > >Last night, my husband and I ended up taking Aleksander back

to the

> > > >doctor to have his feet looked at again. He had red marks on

his

> >heels

> > > >AGAIN, so we thought we'd take him in a quickly as possible.

They

> > > >ended up giving us new shoes, even though he'd only worn the

other

> >pair

> > > >for about 4 days total (3 days the first time around and 1 this

> >time).

> > > >

> > > >He still has the red marks on his heels, but isn't screaming

like

> >he

> > > >did last time.

> > > >

> > > >I wanted to find out if anyone else has had problems with

these red

> > > >marks, and if they will go away in time, assuming the shoes are

> >fitting

> > > >properly now.

> > > >

> > > >We're going to really try to make the Markell's work, but so

far I

> >am

> > > >not really very confident that we'll have much success with

them.

> > > >

> > > >We have been told that Aleksander has extremely narrow feet,

which

> >is

> > > >supposedly rare among babies with clubfoot. It is possible

that

> >due to

> > > >the narrowness of his feet, the other shoes were too big (even

> >though

> > > >they were size 00!), and that is what the problem was. He's

grown

> > > >quite a bit since he got those 00 shoes, and is now in a size

0.

> >Is it

> > > >possible that his feet were just too small before? Or has

anyone

> >ever

> > > >gotten shoes that were simply defective?

> > > >

> > > >Otherwise, Aleksander is doing really well with the shoes.

He's

> > > >already kicking his feet together and had adjusted to that part

> > > >extremely quickly. He's a resiliant boy, and always adjusts to

> >things

> > > >within a day or two. He's also not crying inconsolibly like

he did

> > > >last time, and he's been eating like he usually does - which

> >wasn't the

> > > >case last time.

> > > >

> > > >That said, how long do I give him in these shoes before I

insist

> >on the

> > > >'s?

> > > >

March 31, 2005

At 12:30 PM 3/31/2005, you wrote:

>Is the seam on the inside of the shoe or the outside on the new

>shoes? I was just at the Markell site, and we may have the new

>shoes, rather than the old. The seam I was referring to is on the

>outside of the shoe, smack down the middle of the heal. The inside

>is smooth like the ones on the Markell site. I don't see a picture

>of the outside so I'm not sure which shoes he has.

There is a seam on the outside of the new style shoes, but not on the inside.

>They do have the insert at the heel though. I'm not sure if the

>shoes came with that or not. Also, the second pair we got do look

>different than the first, and not just in size. The buckles are

>slightly different, and the way the strap works is also slightly

>different. Perhaps the first pair were the old ones and these are

>the new....

they don't come with the insert. they're designed to mimic what the insert

did for the old shoes. I personally feel the insert is redundant if

they're on properly - for *most* feet. You can take or leave this

suggestion, but if it were me I'd rip the plastizode out and see how he

does with them without it. It seems like it'd hurt or press some and with

the inherent design it's pushing further into the ankle than needed. If

you look at the shoes profile style (look at the side) you can see the

enlarged heel pocket (it's rounded out) and the padding at the ankle is

sufficient IMO.

>Either way, I do have some problems with the brace department. They

>were trying to tell me last night that if these don't work, we may

>try the AFO's or Wheaton brace. I told them in no uncertain terms

>that we will be trying the 's if these don't work. The

>doctor is on board with that decision so at least she is listening

>and following the proper procedures!

it is quite frustrating that these people (docs and orthotists) haven't the

first clue about all the options available (s, etc.) and are giving

people hope that the other braces are a good option. grrr...

>Despite all of the problems we're having, I'm so happy with my little

>guy's perfect feet. They are so beautiful, and he has great

>dorsiflection (30 degrees), and loves to move them around and kicks

>all over the place. I just want him to continue to have success with

>his treatment - and to be comfortable in the process.

he will be. I'd start with the plastizode and see how that works. The cut

the hole if needed. Do you have pics of his heels you can send to CFPics?

>But believe me, if I find out he doesn't have the newest version of

>the shoes that are available, I'll be at their door first thing

>tomorrow morning with information on how they can order them.

>They'll have a very tough time telling me no too! I don't take no

>for an answer and just keep on talking to different people until I

>get what I want...or keep bothering people until they give in. I did

>that once for work and ended up getting over $10,000 in credits on

>phone bills for the company....and caused several people to either

>leave Qwest or move to a different department so they didn't have to

>deal with me. Thinking about that still makes me smile!

Well, you are MY KIND OF GAL!!! We should get together and take some

people out someday lol!

I think you probably have the new shoes then. The inside seam is the

easiest way to tell. They still should have given you narrows if that's

what they say he needs. Duh!

Kori

>

> > > >

> > > > >Sorry about that subject line, but I'm really frustrated and

>upset

> > > > >about the DDB. I feel like I'm placing my happy little baby

>into a

> > > > >torture chamber. The casting part was a breeze, but this DDB

>crap

> > > > >really bites!

> > > > >

> > > > >Last night, my husband and I ended up taking Aleksander back

>to the

> > > > >doctor to have his feet looked at again. He had red marks on

>his

> > >heels

> > > > >AGAIN, so we thought we'd take him in a quickly as possible.

>They

> > > > >ended up giving us new shoes, even though he'd only worn the

>other

> > >pair

> > > > >for about 4 days total (3 days the first time around and 1 this

> > >time).

> > > > >

> > > > >He still has the red marks on his heels, but isn't screaming

>like

> > >he

> > > > >did last time.

> > > > >

> > > > >I wanted to find out if anyone else has had problems with

>these red

> > > > >marks, and if they will go away in time, assuming the shoes are

> > >fitting

> > > > >properly now.

> > > > >

> > > > >We're going to really try to make the Markell's work, but so

>far I

> > >am

> > > > >not really very confident that we'll have much success with

>them.

> > > > >

> > > > >We have been told that Aleksander has extremely narrow feet,

>which

> > >is

> > > > >supposedly rare among babies with clubfoot. It is possible

>that

> > >due to

> > > > >the narrowness of his feet, the other shoes were too big (even

> > >though

> > > > >they were size 00!), and that is what the problem was. He's

>grown

> > > > >quite a bit since he got those 00 shoes, and is now in a size

>0.

> > >Is it

> > > > >possible that his feet were just too small before? Or has

>anyone

> > >ever

> > > > >gotten shoes that were simply defective?

> > > > >

> > > > >Otherwise, Aleksander is doing really well with the shoes.

>He's

> > > > >already kicking his feet together and had adjusted to that part

> > > > >extremely quickly. He's a resiliant boy, and always adjusts to

> > >things

> > > > >within a day or two. He's also not crying inconsolibly like

>he did

> > > > >last time, and he's been eating like he usually does - which

> > >wasn't the

> > > > >case last time.

> > > > >

> > > > >That said, how long do I give him in these shoes before I

>insist

> > >on the

> > > > >'s?

> > > > >

March 31, 2005

Watch the red marks - if they worsen of course you have problems, but if they

don't worsen they should gradually fade away. Is it a blister, broken skin of

any variety or just a pinkish red? A deep red is serious, that's the pressure

sore happening, it'll turn darker and darker, almost black in our experience.

If he's happy in the shoes now I'd say they're fitting and redness if not

worsening will fade with time.

s.