Guest guest Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Hi, Glen & Carly- Are you sure that your son's feet are fully corrected? If the brace is set up correctly and he's still able to pull his feet out, it's usually an indicator that the foot/feet are not completely corrected. What doctor are you seeing? Perhaps we can suggest another doctor in your area for a second opinion? The doctor should be able to correct the feet with casts and the percutaneous tenotomy. There shouldn't be a need for physical therapy to " finish correction " . Doctors will prescribe stretches- but only to keep the tendons stretched and supple- not to " aid in the correction " if you will. If you want to share pictures with us on the CFPics group, we can give you our opinions as well. Regards, & (3-16-00, left clubfoot) > Dear Group, > > My wife and I have been experiencing similar problems with our > son's shoes. He is 3 months old, and has been out of his casts and > already on his second pair of shoes since August 11th (having been > switched from the Markel TM-1644 to the open heel TM-1645 style). > > We have been to the orthodics specialists 4 times for adjustments > to no avail with our son continuing to pull his feet out or raise his > heels up. > > In our last visit with the Doctor- who also could not get the shoes > to stay on properly - a suggestion of some sort of physiotherapy was > mentioned as an alternative method if the shoes continued to be a > problem. > > Has anyone heard of (or tried) anything like this? > What would it entail? Or is this simply not a viable option? > > Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. > > Respectfully, > > Glen and Carly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Hi, Glen & Carly- Are you sure that your son's feet are fully corrected? If the brace is set up correctly and he's still able to pull his feet out, it's usually an indicator that the foot/feet are not completely corrected. What doctor are you seeing? Perhaps we can suggest another doctor in your area for a second opinion? The doctor should be able to correct the feet with casts and the percutaneous tenotomy. There shouldn't be a need for physical therapy to " finish correction " . Doctors will prescribe stretches- but only to keep the tendons stretched and supple- not to " aid in the correction " if you will. If you want to share pictures with us on the CFPics group, we can give you our opinions as well. Regards, & (3-16-00, left clubfoot) > Dear Group, > > My wife and I have been experiencing similar problems with our > son's shoes. He is 3 months old, and has been out of his casts and > already on his second pair of shoes since August 11th (having been > switched from the Markel TM-1644 to the open heel TM-1645 style). > > We have been to the orthodics specialists 4 times for adjustments > to no avail with our son continuing to pull his feet out or raise his > heels up. > > In our last visit with the Doctor- who also could not get the shoes > to stay on properly - a suggestion of some sort of physiotherapy was > mentioned as an alternative method if the shoes continued to be a > problem. > > Has anyone heard of (or tried) anything like this? > What would it entail? Or is this simply not a viable option? > > Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. > > Respectfully, > > Glen and Carly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Hello , Thank you for your response. The doctor we are seeing has been trained by Dr. Ponseti in Iowa and has come highly recommended by many physicians here in town. We weren't thinking the tenotomy wasn't successful, when we get some pictures we will send them. Maybe I should explain our situation a bit better. We believe that Teddy has taught himself to wiggle his feet (till they bruise) in order to attempt to get the shoes off (in the beginning he could actually get them off, but the orthodics people did fix that). Teddy is colic and has been for the last 2 months. He has medication for acid reflux and apparent lactose intolerance seem to be making a contributing to the problems. However, when he first got the shoes he was at his worst and the crying and pulling his knees to his tummy caused the shoes to come off. He seems to know that trying to move his feet independently can loosen the shoes and he could eventually after a few days free his feet somewhat. So the doctor saw us last week and himself instructed the orthodics people to rebuild the heel and take off the shoe tongue in order to secure his foot properly. I was quite concerned about whether the shoes would ever fit and suggested putting Teddy back in casts for another month until his feet are a bit bigger. However, that is when the doctor assured me that there is always another option and briefly mentioned (over my son's crying) that maybe some physiotherapy may be an option (perhaps in all the confusion and excitement we misinterpreted his suggestion). Since we have our follow-up appointment this week, I thought I would do some research so I would be better prepared, that is when I came across your group. I was reading through several comments and realized that we are not alone in the " shoe problem " area and were hoping that someone like yourself may offer some suggestions etc. since there seems to be a lot of helpful advice from " veteran " parents like yourself. We appreciate your concern and comments and will be sure to let you know the outcome of our appointment tomorrow. Thanks again, Carly > > Dear Group, > > > > My wife and I have been experiencing similar problems with our > > son's shoes. He is 3 months old, and has been out of his casts > and > > already on his second pair of shoes since August 11th (having been > > switched from the Markel TM-1644 to the open heel TM-1645 style). > > > > We have been to the orthodics specialists 4 times for > adjustments > > to no avail with our son continuing to pull his feet out or raise > his > > heels up. > > > > In our last visit with the Doctor- who also could not get the > shoes > > to stay on properly - a suggestion of some sort of physiotherapy > was > > mentioned as an alternative method if the shoes continued to be a > > problem. > > > > Has anyone heard of (or tried) anything like this? > > What would it entail? Or is this simply not a viable option? > > > > Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. > > > > Respectfully, > > > > Glen and Carly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Hello , Thank you for your response. The doctor we are seeing has been trained by Dr. Ponseti in Iowa and has come highly recommended by many physicians here in town. We weren't thinking the tenotomy wasn't successful, when we get some pictures we will send them. Maybe I should explain our situation a bit better. We believe that Teddy has taught himself to wiggle his feet (till they bruise) in order to attempt to get the shoes off (in the beginning he could actually get them off, but the orthodics people did fix that). Teddy is colic and has been for the last 2 months. He has medication for acid reflux and apparent lactose intolerance seem to be making a contributing to the problems. However, when he first got the shoes he was at his worst and the crying and pulling his knees to his tummy caused the shoes to come off. He seems to know that trying to move his feet independently can loosen the shoes and he could eventually after a few days free his feet somewhat. So the doctor saw us last week and himself instructed the orthodics people to rebuild the heel and take off the shoe tongue in order to secure his foot properly. I was quite concerned about whether the shoes would ever fit and suggested putting Teddy back in casts for another month until his feet are a bit bigger. However, that is when the doctor assured me that there is always another option and briefly mentioned (over my son's crying) that maybe some physiotherapy may be an option (perhaps in all the confusion and excitement we misinterpreted his suggestion). Since we have our follow-up appointment this week, I thought I would do some research so I would be better prepared, that is when I came across your group. I was reading through several comments and realized that we are not alone in the " shoe problem " area and were hoping that someone like yourself may offer some suggestions etc. since there seems to be a lot of helpful advice from " veteran " parents like yourself. We appreciate your concern and comments and will be sure to let you know the outcome of our appointment tomorrow. Thanks again, Carly > > Dear Group, > > > > My wife and I have been experiencing similar problems with our > > son's shoes. He is 3 months old, and has been out of his casts > and > > already on his second pair of shoes since August 11th (having been > > switched from the Markel TM-1644 to the open heel TM-1645 style). > > > > We have been to the orthodics specialists 4 times for > adjustments > > to no avail with our son continuing to pull his feet out or raise > his > > heels up. > > > > In our last visit with the Doctor- who also could not get the > shoes > > to stay on properly - a suggestion of some sort of physiotherapy > was > > mentioned as an alternative method if the shoes continued to be a > > problem. > > > > Has anyone heard of (or tried) anything like this? > > What would it entail? Or is this simply not a viable option? > > > > Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. > > > > Respectfully, > > > > Glen and Carly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Carly, Please let us know how Teddy's appt. went!! I do hope that your doctor is applying the method correctly. Many of us here are going to question the doctor right away- if we aren't given the doctor's name right off the bat. This is because for years we have been reading posts like yours where the doctor claims to have been trained and has an excellent reputation.....only to find out that they're modifying the method and getting less than desirable results. In fact, we have come to find out that even some of the docs listed on Dr. P's qualified physicians list are not even following the method correctly. Our goal here is not only to support families, but to give them the resources and tools to understand what is and what is not expected protocol so they can make decisions on their child's behalf with peace of mind and confidence. Too many of us (myself included) have been " burned " by blindly trusting doctors....so our cynacism is difficult to put aside at times! Have you seen the FAB tips and tricks document yet? This site might help you also: http://members.tripod.com/ponseti_links-ivil Regards, & (3-16-00, left cf) http://ponseticlubfoot.freeservers.com > > > Dear Group, > > > > > > My wife and I have been experiencing similar problems with > our > > > son's shoes. He is 3 months old, and has been out of his casts > > and > > > already on his second pair of shoes since August 11th (having > been > > > switched from the Markel TM-1644 to the open heel TM-1645 style). > > > > > > We have been to the orthodics specialists 4 times for > > adjustments > > > to no avail with our son continuing to pull his feet out or raise > > his > > > heels up. > > > > > > In our last visit with the Doctor- who also could not get the > > shoes > > > to stay on properly - a suggestion of some sort of physiotherapy > > was > > > mentioned as an alternative method if the shoes continued to be a > > > problem. > > > > > > Has anyone heard of (or tried) anything like this? > > > What would it entail? Or is this simply not a viable option? > > > > > > Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. > > > > > > Respectfully, > > > > > > Glen and Carly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Carly, Please let us know how Teddy's appt. went!! I do hope that your doctor is applying the method correctly. Many of us here are going to question the doctor right away- if we aren't given the doctor's name right off the bat. This is because for years we have been reading posts like yours where the doctor claims to have been trained and has an excellent reputation.....only to find out that they're modifying the method and getting less than desirable results. In fact, we have come to find out that even some of the docs listed on Dr. P's qualified physicians list are not even following the method correctly. Our goal here is not only to support families, but to give them the resources and tools to understand what is and what is not expected protocol so they can make decisions on their child's behalf with peace of mind and confidence. Too many of us (myself included) have been " burned " by blindly trusting doctors....so our cynacism is difficult to put aside at times! Have you seen the FAB tips and tricks document yet? This site might help you also: http://members.tripod.com/ponseti_links-ivil Regards, & (3-16-00, left cf) http://ponseticlubfoot.freeservers.com > > > Dear Group, > > > > > > My wife and I have been experiencing similar problems with > our > > > son's shoes. He is 3 months old, and has been out of his casts > > and > > > already on his second pair of shoes since August 11th (having > been > > > switched from the Markel TM-1644 to the open heel TM-1645 style). > > > > > > We have been to the orthodics specialists 4 times for > > adjustments > > > to no avail with our son continuing to pull his feet out or raise > > his > > > heels up. > > > > > > In our last visit with the Doctor- who also could not get the > > shoes > > > to stay on properly - a suggestion of some sort of physiotherapy > > was > > > mentioned as an alternative method if the shoes continued to be a > > > problem. > > > > > > Has anyone heard of (or tried) anything like this? > > > What would it entail? Or is this simply not a viable option? > > > > > > Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. > > > > > > Respectfully, > > > > > > Glen and Carly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 Dear Glen and Carly, with this much issue on the shoes, have you considered using the shoe variety? I've used it with great success. Costs more to start with it, but it's made all the difference for us. s. physiotherapy?? Dear Group, My wife and I have been experiencing similar problems with our son's shoes. He is 3 months old, and has been out of his casts and already on his second pair of shoes since August 11th (having been switched from the Markel TM-1644 to the open heel TM-1645 style). We have been to the orthodics specialists 4 times for adjustments to no avail with our son continuing to pull his feet out or raise his heels up. In our last visit with the Doctor- who also could not get the shoes to stay on properly - a suggestion of some sort of physiotherapy was mentioned as an alternative method if the shoes continued to be a problem. Has anyone heard of (or tried) anything like this? What would it entail? Or is this simply not a viable option? Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Respectfully, Glen and Carly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 Dear Glen and Carly, with this much issue on the shoes, have you considered using the shoe variety? I've used it with great success. Costs more to start with it, but it's made all the difference for us. s. physiotherapy?? Dear Group, My wife and I have been experiencing similar problems with our son's shoes. He is 3 months old, and has been out of his casts and already on his second pair of shoes since August 11th (having been switched from the Markel TM-1644 to the open heel TM-1645 style). We have been to the orthodics specialists 4 times for adjustments to no avail with our son continuing to pull his feet out or raise his heels up. In our last visit with the Doctor- who also could not get the shoes to stay on properly - a suggestion of some sort of physiotherapy was mentioned as an alternative method if the shoes continued to be a problem. Has anyone heard of (or tried) anything like this? What would it entail? Or is this simply not a viable option? Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Respectfully, Glen and Carly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2005 Report Share Posted September 11, 2005 Dear Group, The appointment went well. I apologize for not replying sooner. Thank you to all who were able to respond to our post. Armed with all of the knowledge we went to the appointment with the appropriate questions and concerns. The practice is under Dr Noonan and Dr. Nemeth at the University of Wisconsin Medical centre here in Madison. (Both of whom are registered on Dr Ponseti's list of students) We apologize for not mentioning them first. It is important to be concerned that you are seeing the right Doctor, but as my wife and I discussed, (with them already being on the list) unless we are somehow coming up with the funds and freedom- as Canadian's on limited visa's to leave my job and live in Iowa to have Dr. Ponseti himself tend to our child – we have to trust in the care that he is getting here. Unfortunately the reality of our situation forces us down a certain path. We are just so lucky to be in the position that we are in now. If this were to be dealt with in Canada – who knows where our son may have ended up and how long care would have been postponed. (Based on our past experiences with the Canadian medical system) Dr Nemeth was excellent and modest in addressing our concerns regarding how strict he was following the Ponseti method (which in further detail we learned he has a tendency to follow it and ere on the stricter side of adhering to it's design.) Teddy's feet (as it turns out) show excellent sign of flexibility at this stage of recovery from the tenotomy. Our concern of his heel still moving in the shoe turned out to be not as dramatic as we figured, and the small movement that he did have was addressed with a some well placed padding under the strap to help keep them down. Even though we do not feel in this case that it is necessary (or possible) to seek out (and even trust) a second opinion. We do appreciate your cynicism in this matter, especially when founded from past experiences (I myself have so commonly been burned when blindly trusting in the good of my fellow man these days). Without your opinions and advice, my wife and I would probably never have questioned the Doctor, and learned as much as we did about this process. Thank you again for your help. My wife and I look forward to conferring more in the future, and hopefully return the favour by offering up the knowledge learned from our experiences with clubfoot as well. Respectfully, Glen and Carly (Teddy's parents) PS – We will send pics of our son's feet soon J > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2005 Report Share Posted September 11, 2005 Dear Group, The appointment went well. I apologize for not replying sooner. Thank you to all who were able to respond to our post. Armed with all of the knowledge we went to the appointment with the appropriate questions and concerns. The practice is under Dr Noonan and Dr. Nemeth at the University of Wisconsin Medical centre here in Madison. (Both of whom are registered on Dr Ponseti's list of students) We apologize for not mentioning them first. It is important to be concerned that you are seeing the right Doctor, but as my wife and I discussed, (with them already being on the list) unless we are somehow coming up with the funds and freedom- as Canadian's on limited visa's to leave my job and live in Iowa to have Dr. Ponseti himself tend to our child – we have to trust in the care that he is getting here. Unfortunately the reality of our situation forces us down a certain path. We are just so lucky to be in the position that we are in now. If this were to be dealt with in Canada – who knows where our son may have ended up and how long care would have been postponed. (Based on our past experiences with the Canadian medical system) Dr Nemeth was excellent and modest in addressing our concerns regarding how strict he was following the Ponseti method (which in further detail we learned he has a tendency to follow it and ere on the stricter side of adhering to it's design.) Teddy's feet (as it turns out) show excellent sign of flexibility at this stage of recovery from the tenotomy. Our concern of his heel still moving in the shoe turned out to be not as dramatic as we figured, and the small movement that he did have was addressed with a some well placed padding under the strap to help keep them down. Even though we do not feel in this case that it is necessary (or possible) to seek out (and even trust) a second opinion. We do appreciate your cynicism in this matter, especially when founded from past experiences (I myself have so commonly been burned when blindly trusting in the good of my fellow man these days). Without your opinions and advice, my wife and I would probably never have questioned the Doctor, and learned as much as we did about this process. Thank you again for your help. My wife and I look forward to conferring more in the future, and hopefully return the favour by offering up the knowledge learned from our experiences with clubfoot as well. Respectfully, Glen and Carly (Teddy's parents) PS – We will send pics of our son's feet soon J > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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