Re: strengthening calf muscle/occupationaltherapy

[Guest guest]

Kind of dropping in late here on this subject but found it

interesting since my daughter is older now, this is the subject that

I think about most often.

is 5 now and had bilateral clubfoot. She was moderately severe

at birth and was corrected by Dr. Ponseti. Her calf muscles have

always been smaller than they would have normally been. She was a

very chubby baby, so I noticed it more back then. She is very tall

and now weighs about 45 lbs and I still notice her clalf muscles to

be smaller than they should be but not really noticeable to other

people who don't know her story. I notice even on her being that she

was bilateral because of the proportion of her calf muscles to the

size of her thighs. She has kind of knobby knees (although my older

daughter, non-clubfoot did also at this age) and then her legs sort

of slim down below them. Like I said, it's not noticeable to other

people, but it is to me. I just pray that they stay at least in the

proportion that they are now because she looks wonderful. I am still

amazed to this day!

I think that every clubfoot is different and severity at birth and

the way development occured during pregnancy all play a part as to

how the calf muscles will develope and how easy or hard and long or

short the over all clubfoot correction will be.

is extremely active and rides bikes, scooters, plays soccor,

does ballet and swims, you name it. I really believe all of that

helps her muscles (just as any other child) but I also believe that

it won't change some of what was simply a birth deformity. I have had

conversations with Dr. Ponseti on this subject and he had said to me

that some of it is simply irriversable but that certain activities

and excercize is helpful especially in keeping the legs and feet

limber. I guess the rest we'll have to wait and see.

Holly and (bilateral born: 2-11-00 mod. severe at birth,

Ponseti patient from 5 months on.)

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

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

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> > Jennipher

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

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> > lisa caroland

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> > __________________________________________________

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