RE: Jayson's Checkup -- Empty Heel?

[Guest guest]

I think it's normal to have the spongy heel even after the tenotomy and it

gradually 'fills up'. What you can check after tenotomy is the

dorsiflexion.

Put your palm on the sole of his foot and push the toe section up, the heel

should be flexible so that the foot can angle to about 15 degrees up from

heel to toe - if that makes sense...maybe someone else can explain it

better.

Hope this helps

K

Jayson's Checkup -- " Empty Heel " ?

My son Jayson had his first checkup after being placed into Markell

shoes/gold bar a couple days ago. When we took the shoes off and Dr.

Ward (Children's hospital of Pittsburgh) took a gander at Jayson's

club foot, he seemed a bit concerned and ordered an X-ray. After the

X-ray came back, he informed us that Jayson's heel bone (sorry, about

the non-technical terms) is very high, thus essentially giving him an

" empty " heel.

His heel is very spongy and " empty " . You can feel the heel bone very

high on the back of the foot. Dr. Ward suggested that we let it ride

for 2 months until his next checkup, and then go from there. This is

very disconcerting to my wife and I.

I'm not sure if after his tenotomy, the final cast was not properly

placed on the foot, or if his heel tightened up after the shoes were

put on.

Is this condition a normal occurrence? Should I highly be considering

a second opinion? Dr. Ward is not Ponsetti approved, but practices the

procedure. Unfortunately there is no Ponsetti Dr. very close to

Pittsburgh, from what I can tell. Should I take pictures and send them

to Dr. Ponsetti? Should I attempt to obtain the digital copy of

Jayson's X-ray to forward along?

I'm very worried. Hope somebody can offer some advice or confirm that

this is a common occurrence.

Thanks a ton!

-BJ

[Guest guest]

I think it's normal to have the spongy heel even after the tenotomy and it

gradually 'fills up'. What you can check after tenotomy is the

dorsiflexion.

Put your palm on the sole of his foot and push the toe section up, the heel

should be flexible so that the foot can angle to about 15 degrees up from

heel to toe - if that makes sense...maybe someone else can explain it

better.

Hope this helps

K

Jayson's Checkup -- " Empty Heel " ?

My son Jayson had his first checkup after being placed into Markell

shoes/gold bar a couple days ago. When we took the shoes off and Dr.

Ward (Children's hospital of Pittsburgh) took a gander at Jayson's

club foot, he seemed a bit concerned and ordered an X-ray. After the

X-ray came back, he informed us that Jayson's heel bone (sorry, about

the non-technical terms) is very high, thus essentially giving him an

" empty " heel.

His heel is very spongy and " empty " . You can feel the heel bone very

high on the back of the foot. Dr. Ward suggested that we let it ride

for 2 months until his next checkup, and then go from there. This is

very disconcerting to my wife and I.

I'm not sure if after his tenotomy, the final cast was not properly

placed on the foot, or if his heel tightened up after the shoes were

put on.

Is this condition a normal occurrence? Should I highly be considering

a second opinion? Dr. Ward is not Ponsetti approved, but practices the

procedure. Unfortunately there is no Ponsetti Dr. very close to

Pittsburgh, from what I can tell. Should I take pictures and send them

to Dr. Ponsetti? Should I attempt to obtain the digital copy of

Jayson's X-ray to forward along?

I'm very worried. Hope somebody can offer some advice or confirm that

this is a common occurrence.

Thanks a ton!

-BJ

[Guest guest]

I think is right. The empty/spongy heel is very common after

correction. On the Markell shoes there is a pocket in the heel of the shoes

that allows for this. The heel bone will come down over time and settle

into place. As long as his dorsiflexion is good, I don't think that it is

anything to worry about.

Olivia had a very high heel bone and her heel was really spongy after

correction. At almost four it has come down considerably.

Of course, it never hurts to seek another opinion, even if it is just by

emailing photos to Dr. Ponseti.

Continued best wishes to you!

Jen & Livie

Jayson's Checkup -- " Empty Heel " ?

My son Jayson had his first checkup after being placed into Markell

shoes/gold bar a couple days ago. When we took the shoes off and Dr.

Ward (Children's hospital of Pittsburgh) took a gander at Jayson's

club foot, he seemed a bit concerned and ordered an X-ray. After the

X-ray came back, he informed us that Jayson's heel bone (sorry, about

the non-technical terms) is very high, thus essentially giving him an

" empty " heel.

His heel is very spongy and " empty " . You can feel the heel bone very

high on the back of the foot. Dr. Ward suggested that we let it ride

for 2 months until his next checkup, and then go from there. This is

very disconcerting to my wife and I.

I'm not sure if after his tenotomy, the final cast was not properly

placed on the foot, or if his heel tightened up after the shoes were

put on.

Is this condition a normal occurrence? Should I highly be considering

a second opinion? Dr. Ward is not Ponsetti approved, but practices the

procedure. Unfortunately there is no Ponsetti Dr. very close to

Pittsburgh, from what I can tell. Should I take pictures and send them

to Dr. Ponsetti? Should I attempt to obtain the digital copy of

Jayson's X-ray to forward along?

I'm very worried. Hope somebody can offer some advice or confirm that

this is a common occurrence.

Thanks a ton!

-BJ

[Guest guest]

I think is right. The empty/spongy heel is very common after

correction. On the Markell shoes there is a pocket in the heel of the shoes

that allows for this. The heel bone will come down over time and settle

into place. As long as his dorsiflexion is good, I don't think that it is

anything to worry about.

Olivia had a very high heel bone and her heel was really spongy after

correction. At almost four it has come down considerably.

Of course, it never hurts to seek another opinion, even if it is just by

emailing photos to Dr. Ponseti.

Continued best wishes to you!

Jen & Livie

Jayson's Checkup -- " Empty Heel " ?

My son Jayson had his first checkup after being placed into Markell

shoes/gold bar a couple days ago. When we took the shoes off and Dr.

Ward (Children's hospital of Pittsburgh) took a gander at Jayson's

club foot, he seemed a bit concerned and ordered an X-ray. After the

X-ray came back, he informed us that Jayson's heel bone (sorry, about

the non-technical terms) is very high, thus essentially giving him an

" empty " heel.

His heel is very spongy and " empty " . You can feel the heel bone very

high on the back of the foot. Dr. Ward suggested that we let it ride

for 2 months until his next checkup, and then go from there. This is

very disconcerting to my wife and I.

I'm not sure if after his tenotomy, the final cast was not properly

placed on the foot, or if his heel tightened up after the shoes were

put on.

Is this condition a normal occurrence? Should I highly be considering

a second opinion? Dr. Ward is not Ponsetti approved, but practices the

procedure. Unfortunately there is no Ponsetti Dr. very close to

Pittsburgh, from what I can tell. Should I take pictures and send them

to Dr. Ponsetti? Should I attempt to obtain the digital copy of

Jayson's X-ray to forward along?

I'm very worried. Hope somebody can offer some advice or confirm that

this is a common occurrence.

Thanks a ton!

-BJ

[Guest guest]

I think is right. The empty/spongy heel is very common after

correction. On the Markell shoes there is a pocket in the heel of the shoes

that allows for this. The heel bone will come down over time and settle

into place. As long as his dorsiflexion is good, I don't think that it is

anything to worry about.

Olivia had a very high heel bone and her heel was really spongy after

correction. At almost four it has come down considerably.

Of course, it never hurts to seek another opinion, even if it is just by

emailing photos to Dr. Ponseti.

Continued best wishes to you!

Jen & Livie

Jayson's Checkup -- " Empty Heel " ?

My son Jayson had his first checkup after being placed into Markell

shoes/gold bar a couple days ago. When we took the shoes off and Dr.

Ward (Children's hospital of Pittsburgh) took a gander at Jayson's

club foot, he seemed a bit concerned and ordered an X-ray. After the

X-ray came back, he informed us that Jayson's heel bone (sorry, about

the non-technical terms) is very high, thus essentially giving him an

" empty " heel.

His heel is very spongy and " empty " . You can feel the heel bone very

high on the back of the foot. Dr. Ward suggested that we let it ride

for 2 months until his next checkup, and then go from there. This is

very disconcerting to my wife and I.

I'm not sure if after his tenotomy, the final cast was not properly

placed on the foot, or if his heel tightened up after the shoes were

put on.

Is this condition a normal occurrence? Should I highly be considering

a second opinion? Dr. Ward is not Ponsetti approved, but practices the

procedure. Unfortunately there is no Ponsetti Dr. very close to

Pittsburgh, from what I can tell. Should I take pictures and send them

to Dr. Ponsetti? Should I attempt to obtain the digital copy of

Jayson's X-ray to forward along?

I'm very worried. Hope somebody can offer some advice or confirm that

this is a common occurrence.

Thanks a ton!

-BJ

[Guest guest]

I think is right. The empty/spongy heel is very common after

correction. On the Markell shoes there is a pocket in the heel of the shoes

that allows for this. The heel bone will come down over time and settle

into place. As long as his dorsiflexion is good, I don't think that it is

anything to worry about.

Olivia had a very high heel bone and her heel was really spongy after

correction. At almost four it has come down considerably.

Of course, it never hurts to seek another opinion, even if it is just by

emailing photos to Dr. Ponseti.

Continued best wishes to you!

Jen & Livie

Jayson's Checkup -- " Empty Heel " ?

My son Jayson had his first checkup after being placed into Markell

shoes/gold bar a couple days ago. When we took the shoes off and Dr.

Ward (Children's hospital of Pittsburgh) took a gander at Jayson's

club foot, he seemed a bit concerned and ordered an X-ray. After the

X-ray came back, he informed us that Jayson's heel bone (sorry, about

the non-technical terms) is very high, thus essentially giving him an

" empty " heel.

His heel is very spongy and " empty " . You can feel the heel bone very

high on the back of the foot. Dr. Ward suggested that we let it ride

for 2 months until his next checkup, and then go from there. This is

very disconcerting to my wife and I.

I'm not sure if after his tenotomy, the final cast was not properly

placed on the foot, or if his heel tightened up after the shoes were

put on.

Is this condition a normal occurrence? Should I highly be considering

a second opinion? Dr. Ward is not Ponsetti approved, but practices the

procedure. Unfortunately there is no Ponsetti Dr. very close to

Pittsburgh, from what I can tell. Should I take pictures and send them

to Dr. Ponsetti? Should I attempt to obtain the digital copy of

Jayson's X-ray to forward along?

I'm very worried. Hope somebody can offer some advice or confirm that

this is a common occurrence.

Thanks a ton!

-BJ

[Guest guest]

BJ,

I'm sorry you are having this worry.

If it's just a fleshy, soft heel pad, that's common. My daughter's

was that way for even a few years, and still isn't as firm as her

other heel. (She was treated by Dr. P.)

That being said, if what the doctor means by the heel being too high

is that the equinus has returned, a tightening up of the heel cord,

that there isns't adequate dorsiflexion, (the ability to lift the

toes up), that would be a concern.. Does that seem to be the problem

to you? How is Jayson doing in the brace? Is it staying on? is he

comfortable?

X rays usually aren't necessary.. the doctor should be able to feel

whether the correction is complete. If there's been a loss of

correction, I wouldn't want to 'wait and see' a few months.

If you want another opinion, I urge you to consider Dr. Herzenberg in

land. I bet he would be willing to talk with you on the phone or

email and/or look at pictures. Pittsburgh isn't too far from there,

is it? He is very experienced, and one of the best POnseti method

doctors in the country.

here's his info: from the Virtual Hospital website:

E. Herzenberg, M.D., FRCSC

Sinai Hospital

Baltimore, MD

Tel:

Email Dr. Herzenberg

Website: www.limblengthening.org

Best wishes,

and Claire

[Guest guest]

BJ,

I'm sorry you are having this worry.

If it's just a fleshy, soft heel pad, that's common. My daughter's

was that way for even a few years, and still isn't as firm as her

other heel. (She was treated by Dr. P.)

That being said, if what the doctor means by the heel being too high

is that the equinus has returned, a tightening up of the heel cord,

that there isns't adequate dorsiflexion, (the ability to lift the

toes up), that would be a concern.. Does that seem to be the problem

to you? How is Jayson doing in the brace? Is it staying on? is he

comfortable?

X rays usually aren't necessary.. the doctor should be able to feel

whether the correction is complete. If there's been a loss of

correction, I wouldn't want to 'wait and see' a few months.

If you want another opinion, I urge you to consider Dr. Herzenberg in

land. I bet he would be willing to talk with you on the phone or

email and/or look at pictures. Pittsburgh isn't too far from there,

is it? He is very experienced, and one of the best POnseti method

doctors in the country.

here's his info: from the Virtual Hospital website:

E. Herzenberg, M.D., FRCSC

Sinai Hospital

Baltimore, MD

Tel:

Email Dr. Herzenberg

Website: www.limblengthening.org

Best wishes,

and Claire

[Guest guest]

BJ,

I'm sorry you are having this worry.

If it's just a fleshy, soft heel pad, that's common. My daughter's

was that way for even a few years, and still isn't as firm as her

other heel. (She was treated by Dr. P.)

That being said, if what the doctor means by the heel being too high

is that the equinus has returned, a tightening up of the heel cord,

that there isns't adequate dorsiflexion, (the ability to lift the

toes up), that would be a concern.. Does that seem to be the problem

to you? How is Jayson doing in the brace? Is it staying on? is he

comfortable?

X rays usually aren't necessary.. the doctor should be able to feel

whether the correction is complete. If there's been a loss of

correction, I wouldn't want to 'wait and see' a few months.

If you want another opinion, I urge you to consider Dr. Herzenberg in

land. I bet he would be willing to talk with you on the phone or

email and/or look at pictures. Pittsburgh isn't too far from there,

is it? He is very experienced, and one of the best POnseti method

doctors in the country.

here's his info: from the Virtual Hospital website:

E. Herzenberg, M.D., FRCSC

Sinai Hospital

Baltimore, MD

Tel:

Email Dr. Herzenberg

Website: www.limblengthening.org

Best wishes,

and Claire

[Guest guest]

BJ,

I'm sorry you are having this worry.

If it's just a fleshy, soft heel pad, that's common. My daughter's

was that way for even a few years, and still isn't as firm as her

other heel. (She was treated by Dr. P.)

That being said, if what the doctor means by the heel being too high

is that the equinus has returned, a tightening up of the heel cord,

that there isns't adequate dorsiflexion, (the ability to lift the

toes up), that would be a concern.. Does that seem to be the problem

to you? How is Jayson doing in the brace? Is it staying on? is he

comfortable?

X rays usually aren't necessary.. the doctor should be able to feel

whether the correction is complete. If there's been a loss of

correction, I wouldn't want to 'wait and see' a few months.

If you want another opinion, I urge you to consider Dr. Herzenberg in

land. I bet he would be willing to talk with you on the phone or

email and/or look at pictures. Pittsburgh isn't too far from there,

is it? He is very experienced, and one of the best POnseti method

doctors in the country.

here's his info: from the Virtual Hospital website:

E. Herzenberg, M.D., FRCSC

Sinai Hospital

Baltimore, MD

Tel:

Email Dr. Herzenberg

Website: www.limblengthening.org

Best wishes,

and Claire

[Guest guest]

I think this is a normal occurance that corrects itself over time. I

seem to recall that when I took Owen for a check-up when he was just

over a year old, his heel (on his affected foot) was still 'spongy'

(or hollow) compared to his non-affected foot - in fact, Dr. Pirani

pointed it out to me and assured me that it was normal and

would 'drop' in time as he walked more. Now, at age 2½, the heel is

in a normal position.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, however, it never hurts to

consult Dr. Ponseti. He always answers emails and will sometimes

even telephone if you have great concerns. If he feels that a second

opinion is warranted, he will definitely direct you to a trusted

doctor as close to your location as possible.

Hope this helps,

Daiga and Owen, 02/04/03

Unilateral LCF, FAB 14/7

> My son Jayson had his first checkup after being placed into Markell

> shoes/gold bar a couple days ago. When we took the shoes off and Dr.

> Ward (Children's hospital of Pittsburgh) took a gander at Jayson's

> club foot, he seemed a bit concerned and ordered an X-ray. After the

> X-ray came back, he informed us that Jayson's heel bone (sorry,

about

> the non-technical terms) is very high, thus essentially giving him

an

> " empty " heel.

>

> His heel is very spongy and " empty " . You can feel the heel bone very

> high on the back of the foot. Dr. Ward suggested that we let it ride

> for 2 months until his next checkup, and then go from there. This is

> very disconcerting to my wife and I.

>

> I'm not sure if after his tenotomy, the final cast was not properly

> placed on the foot, or if his heel tightened up after the shoes were

> put on.

>

> Is this condition a normal occurrence? Should I highly be

considering

> a second opinion? Dr. Ward is not Ponsetti approved, but practices

the

> procedure. Unfortunately there is no Ponsetti Dr. very close to

> Pittsburgh, from what I can tell. Should I take pictures and send

them

> to Dr. Ponsetti? Should I attempt to obtain the digital copy of

> Jayson's X-ray to forward along?

>

> I'm very worried. Hope somebody can offer some advice or confirm

that

> this is a common occurrence.

>

> Thanks a ton!

> -BJ

[Guest guest]

I think this is a normal occurance that corrects itself over time. I

seem to recall that when I took Owen for a check-up when he was just

over a year old, his heel (on his affected foot) was still 'spongy'

(or hollow) compared to his non-affected foot - in fact, Dr. Pirani

pointed it out to me and assured me that it was normal and

would 'drop' in time as he walked more. Now, at age 2½, the heel is

in a normal position.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, however, it never hurts to

consult Dr. Ponseti. He always answers emails and will sometimes

even telephone if you have great concerns. If he feels that a second

opinion is warranted, he will definitely direct you to a trusted

doctor as close to your location as possible.

Hope this helps,

Daiga and Owen, 02/04/03

Unilateral LCF, FAB 14/7

> My son Jayson had his first checkup after being placed into Markell

> shoes/gold bar a couple days ago. When we took the shoes off and Dr.

> Ward (Children's hospital of Pittsburgh) took a gander at Jayson's

> club foot, he seemed a bit concerned and ordered an X-ray. After the

> X-ray came back, he informed us that Jayson's heel bone (sorry,

about

> the non-technical terms) is very high, thus essentially giving him

an

> " empty " heel.

>

> His heel is very spongy and " empty " . You can feel the heel bone very

> high on the back of the foot. Dr. Ward suggested that we let it ride

> for 2 months until his next checkup, and then go from there. This is

> very disconcerting to my wife and I.

>

> I'm not sure if after his tenotomy, the final cast was not properly

> placed on the foot, or if his heel tightened up after the shoes were

> put on.

>

> Is this condition a normal occurrence? Should I highly be

considering

> a second opinion? Dr. Ward is not Ponsetti approved, but practices

the

> procedure. Unfortunately there is no Ponsetti Dr. very close to

> Pittsburgh, from what I can tell. Should I take pictures and send

them

> to Dr. Ponsetti? Should I attempt to obtain the digital copy of

> Jayson's X-ray to forward along?

>

> I'm very worried. Hope somebody can offer some advice or confirm

that

> this is a common occurrence.

>

> Thanks a ton!

> -BJ

[Guest guest]

I think this is a normal occurance that corrects itself over time. I

seem to recall that when I took Owen for a check-up when he was just

over a year old, his heel (on his affected foot) was still 'spongy'

(or hollow) compared to his non-affected foot - in fact, Dr. Pirani

pointed it out to me and assured me that it was normal and

would 'drop' in time as he walked more. Now, at age 2½, the heel is

in a normal position.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, however, it never hurts to

consult Dr. Ponseti. He always answers emails and will sometimes

even telephone if you have great concerns. If he feels that a second

opinion is warranted, he will definitely direct you to a trusted

doctor as close to your location as possible.

Hope this helps,

Daiga and Owen, 02/04/03

Unilateral LCF, FAB 14/7

> My son Jayson had his first checkup after being placed into Markell

> shoes/gold bar a couple days ago. When we took the shoes off and Dr.

> Ward (Children's hospital of Pittsburgh) took a gander at Jayson's

> club foot, he seemed a bit concerned and ordered an X-ray. After the

> X-ray came back, he informed us that Jayson's heel bone (sorry,

about

> the non-technical terms) is very high, thus essentially giving him

an

> " empty " heel.

>

> His heel is very spongy and " empty " . You can feel the heel bone very

> high on the back of the foot. Dr. Ward suggested that we let it ride

> for 2 months until his next checkup, and then go from there. This is

> very disconcerting to my wife and I.

>

> I'm not sure if after his tenotomy, the final cast was not properly

> placed on the foot, or if his heel tightened up after the shoes were

> put on.

>

> Is this condition a normal occurrence? Should I highly be

considering

> a second opinion? Dr. Ward is not Ponsetti approved, but practices

the

> procedure. Unfortunately there is no Ponsetti Dr. very close to

> Pittsburgh, from what I can tell. Should I take pictures and send

them

> to Dr. Ponsetti? Should I attempt to obtain the digital copy of

> Jayson's X-ray to forward along?

>

> I'm very worried. Hope somebody can offer some advice or confirm

that

> this is a common occurrence.

>

> Thanks a ton!

> -BJ

[Guest guest]

I think this is a normal occurance that corrects itself over time. I

seem to recall that when I took Owen for a check-up when he was just

over a year old, his heel (on his affected foot) was still 'spongy'

(or hollow) compared to his non-affected foot - in fact, Dr. Pirani

pointed it out to me and assured me that it was normal and

would 'drop' in time as he walked more. Now, at age 2½, the heel is

in a normal position.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, however, it never hurts to

consult Dr. Ponseti. He always answers emails and will sometimes

even telephone if you have great concerns. If he feels that a second

opinion is warranted, he will definitely direct you to a trusted

doctor as close to your location as possible.

Hope this helps,

Daiga and Owen, 02/04/03

Unilateral LCF, FAB 14/7

> My son Jayson had his first checkup after being placed into Markell

> shoes/gold bar a couple days ago. When we took the shoes off and Dr.

> Ward (Children's hospital of Pittsburgh) took a gander at Jayson's

> club foot, he seemed a bit concerned and ordered an X-ray. After the

> X-ray came back, he informed us that Jayson's heel bone (sorry,

about

> the non-technical terms) is very high, thus essentially giving him

an

> " empty " heel.

>

> His heel is very spongy and " empty " . You can feel the heel bone very

> high on the back of the foot. Dr. Ward suggested that we let it ride

> for 2 months until his next checkup, and then go from there. This is

> very disconcerting to my wife and I.

>

> I'm not sure if after his tenotomy, the final cast was not properly

> placed on the foot, or if his heel tightened up after the shoes were

> put on.

>

> Is this condition a normal occurrence? Should I highly be

considering

> a second opinion? Dr. Ward is not Ponsetti approved, but practices

the

> procedure. Unfortunately there is no Ponsetti Dr. very close to

> Pittsburgh, from what I can tell. Should I take pictures and send

them

> to Dr. Ponsetti? Should I attempt to obtain the digital copy of

> Jayson's X-ray to forward along?

>

> I'm very worried. Hope somebody can offer some advice or confirm

that

> this is a common occurrence.

>

> Thanks a ton!

> -BJ