graces appt. w/dr frick

[Guest guest]

I think the main problem with Grace is not that she has

rockerbottom. Her rockerbottom has progressed over the year or more

I was told it would get better. Now her tendons are tight and

honestly I dont think a cast is going to stretch that all back out.

One of her bones in her foot doesn't even look normal for some

reason. I think it is the cuboid.....it should look like a peanut

and hers is just round. Another bone; the one on the sole of her

foot is pointing down and should be slightly pointing up. This is

what causes the lumps on the soles of her feet (rockerbottom) I dont

think Dr Ponseti really understands the complexity of Graces

issues....its not just a rockerbottom. Its a number of issues that

have gotten worse over time and have probably gone for too long to

be fixed by just a cast. Dr Herzenberg said he doesnt even feel

comfortable doing a tenotomy on Grace because of her age and it

would the 3rd one........so honestly how much stretching of all

those tendons is a cast going to do without causing more damage to

her midfoot. I was told a cast cannot grab the bones and move them

down. You need something internal to grab them and reposition

them. Its really hard to explain. Also the patient Dr Ponseti

mentioned to me that had rockerbottom and Dr Frick operated on. The

child relapsed after surgery and needed more surgery.....well

apparently the boy had other very serious issues to begin with. One

leg and foot were much smaller than the other...like inches

smaller. He wore a normal size shoe on one foot and an infant shoe

on the other. I guess my point is that boy had very abnormal

clubfoot along with other issues that caused his relapse. So that

doesn't worry me anymore. The impression I get is that both Dr Frick

and Dr Herzenberg feel some intervention is needed other than just

casting. Now I just need to decide which. I have been in contact

with a parent on this board whose son may be treated soon with the

Ilizarov method. I just know how Grace is and honestly do not see

her being able to cope with that type of treatment. It takes a long

time and it is very scarey looking.

So this is getting long winded. I guess I am not going to Iowa

because Dr Ponseti just recommended that Dr Frick see Grace again.

I think if Dr Ponseti knew for sure casting would work he would have

said to come on to see him. I feel in my heart that one or two

casts will not fix the underlying problems. So thats that. I am

feeling better with all of this now that I know I have done all I

could do. Thanks again for all of your support.