Re: your experience needed

[Guest guest]

,

Most foot and calf size differences are due to genetic make up of

the clubfoot. You can see pictures of my daughter's legs/feet from

birth through age 5 at our yahoo photo album (she's also a left cf

kid). Either go to the links section of this group's website and

click on the link for T's pictures or go to our website and

click on the page for pictures

(http://ponseticlubfoot.freeservers.com).

has about 1 to 1.5 shoe size difference, but it hasn't really

caused us any issues yet.

Hope this helps allieviate some of your concerns!

& (3-16-00, left clubfoot)

> Hi everyone!

> I haven't posted in some time but I am due in August. My baby boy

seems

> to have a left clubfoot. What has been your experience with foot,

leg,

> and calf length compared to the " normal " side? I have seen some

> HORRIBLE pictures on the internet but found that most of them are

due

> to poor treatment in childhood. Thanks ahead of time for your

insight. -

> kelly )

[Guest guest]

,

Most foot and calf size differences are due to genetic make up of

the clubfoot. You can see pictures of my daughter's legs/feet from

birth through age 5 at our yahoo photo album (she's also a left cf

kid). Either go to the links section of this group's website and

click on the link for T's pictures or go to our website and

click on the page for pictures

(http://ponseticlubfoot.freeservers.com).

has about 1 to 1.5 shoe size difference, but it hasn't really

caused us any issues yet.

Hope this helps allieviate some of your concerns!

& (3-16-00, left clubfoot)

> Hi everyone!

> I haven't posted in some time but I am due in August. My baby boy

seems

> to have a left clubfoot. What has been your experience with foot,

leg,

> and calf length compared to the " normal " side? I have seen some

> HORRIBLE pictures on the internet but found that most of them are

due

> to poor treatment in childhood. Thanks ahead of time for your

insight. -

> kelly )

[Guest guest]

Kelsey also has a left clubfoot and after her

treatment, there is very little difference in her feet

and those who are not aware of her problem cannot even

tell. Her clubfoot is about 1/2 size smaller than her

other foot and her calf is a little skinnier. Kelsey

also has a curved tibial bone so that affects the

straightness of her leg somewhat but there really is

very little difference. Be carefeul sometimes with

what you see on the internet because it can definitely

scare the heck out of you. I know it did me.

Jenni

--- elemkc wrote:

> Hi everyone!

> I haven't posted in some time but I am due in

> August. My baby boy seems

> to have a left clubfoot. What has been your

> experience with foot, leg,

> and calf length compared to the " normal " side? I

> have seen some

> HORRIBLE pictures on the internet but found that

> most of them are due

> to poor treatment in childhood. Thanks ahead of time

> for your insight. -

> kelly )

>

>

>

Jenni-

Mom to (10/31/01) and Kelsey (11/7/03)happy girl in DBB nights only for

left clubfoot.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Kelsey also has a left clubfoot and after her

treatment, there is very little difference in her feet

and those who are not aware of her problem cannot even

tell. Her clubfoot is about 1/2 size smaller than her

other foot and her calf is a little skinnier. Kelsey

also has a curved tibial bone so that affects the

straightness of her leg somewhat but there really is

very little difference. Be carefeul sometimes with

what you see on the internet because it can definitely

scare the heck out of you. I know it did me.

Jenni

--- elemkc wrote:

> Hi everyone!

> I haven't posted in some time but I am due in

> August. My baby boy seems

> to have a left clubfoot. What has been your

> experience with foot, leg,

> and calf length compared to the " normal " side? I

> have seen some

> HORRIBLE pictures on the internet but found that

> most of them are due

> to poor treatment in childhood. Thanks ahead of time

> for your insight. -

> kelly )

>

>

>

Jenni-

Mom to (10/31/01) and Kelsey (11/7/03)happy girl in DBB nights only for

left clubfoot.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I agree, don't be discouraged by the internet. Whe nI first started researching

clubfeet , on one site it mentioned chronic pain into adulthood... limited

mobility... yada..yada... It said that some people actually prefered amputation

to their stiff painful feet. I was horrified. My son has bilateral clubfeet, but

from all the pictures I've seen ( in Ponseti literature ) only someone

acquainted with clubfeet could see the difference. As to the size issue, the

clubfoot is usually slightly smaller. Don't spend time worrying about it right

now. It was good for me to research the clinical terms for clubfoot so I could

have an educated discussion with his doctors whne the time came, but honestly,

all the reading I did.... I read myself into a frenzy before Gabe was even born.

I wish I had enjoyed my pregnancy more, worried less, then dealt with problems a

day at a time after he was born. But, you know what they say about hindsight...

Jenni Cypher wrote:Kelsey also has a left clubfoot and

after her

treatment, there is very little difference in her feet

and those who are not aware of her problem cannot even

tell. Her clubfoot is about 1/2 size smaller than her

other foot and her calf is a little skinnier. Kelsey

also has a curved tibial bone so that affects the

straightness of her leg somewhat but there really is

very little difference. Be carefeul sometimes with

what you see on the internet because it can definitely

scare the heck out of you. I know it did me.

Jenni

--- elemkc wrote:

> Hi everyone!

> I haven't posted in some time but I am due in

> August. My baby boy seems

> to have a left clubfoot. What has been your

> experience with foot, leg,

> and calf length compared to the " normal " side? I

> have seen some

> HORRIBLE pictures on the internet but found that

> most of them are due

> to poor treatment in childhood. Thanks ahead of time

> for your insight. -

> kelly )

>

>

>

Jenni-

Mom to (10/31/01) and Kelsey (11/7/03)happy girl in DBB nights only for

left clubfoot.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I agree, don't be discouraged by the internet. Whe nI first started researching

clubfeet , on one site it mentioned chronic pain into adulthood... limited

mobility... yada..yada... It said that some people actually prefered amputation

to their stiff painful feet. I was horrified. My son has bilateral clubfeet, but

from all the pictures I've seen ( in Ponseti literature ) only someone

acquainted with clubfeet could see the difference. As to the size issue, the

clubfoot is usually slightly smaller. Don't spend time worrying about it right

now. It was good for me to research the clinical terms for clubfoot so I could

have an educated discussion with his doctors whne the time came, but honestly,

all the reading I did.... I read myself into a frenzy before Gabe was even born.

I wish I had enjoyed my pregnancy more, worried less, then dealt with problems a

day at a time after he was born. But, you know what they say about hindsight...

Jenni Cypher wrote:Kelsey also has a left clubfoot and

after her

treatment, there is very little difference in her feet

and those who are not aware of her problem cannot even

tell. Her clubfoot is about 1/2 size smaller than her

other foot and her calf is a little skinnier. Kelsey

also has a curved tibial bone so that affects the

straightness of her leg somewhat but there really is

very little difference. Be carefeul sometimes with

what you see on the internet because it can definitely

scare the heck out of you. I know it did me.

Jenni

--- elemkc wrote:

> Hi everyone!

> I haven't posted in some time but I am due in

> August. My baby boy seems

> to have a left clubfoot. What has been your

> experience with foot, leg,

> and calf length compared to the " normal " side? I

> have seen some

> HORRIBLE pictures on the internet but found that

> most of them are due

> to poor treatment in childhood. Thanks ahead of time

> for your insight. -

> kelly )

>

>

>

Jenni-

Mom to (10/31/01) and Kelsey (11/7/03)happy girl in DBB nights only for

left clubfoot.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi, ,

My daughter is 5, with unilateral left cf, too. Her calf is thinner,

but you really have to look to see it. No one seems to notice unless

it's pointed out, and even then they have to really look. She took

ballet and swimming lessons recently, and neither teacher noticed

anything. Her cf foot is 1 size smaller, but not enough to have to buy

different sized shoes. There's no difference in leg length. Her

function is great. And her corrected foot looks completely normal.

I too was scared by things I saw/read about on the internet.. I can

honestly tell you the size difference/cosmetic concerns have not even

been an issue for us. Maybe at certain points when she's older it will

be different, but I have completely stopped worrying/obsessing about

it. (I wish I'd done much less of it early on!)

Here are some stats from 's parent research paper here in the

Files section:

----------

Physically Observable Results after Successful Treatment

The following results show a variation of affects depending on the

severity of each child's condition regardless of treatment with non-

surgical or surgical correction. (Dr. Lehman, chapter 34, Disorders of

the Foot and Ankle, 1979-1987) (Ponseti 1980 study)

1. Shoe Size, Shortening of the Affected Foot, from 0-4 cm

(average 1.6cm) (Ponseti's 1980 study mean difference was 1.3 cm)

2. Difference between the Width of the Feet, 0-.6 cm (average

0.3cm) (Ponseti's 1980 study mean difference was 0.4 cm)

3. Difference in Circumference of the Calves, 0-5.5 cm (average

2.5 cm) (Ponseti's 1980 study mean difference was 2.3 cm)

4. Leg-Length Difference, 0-5cm (average 0.6cm) (Ponseti's 1980

study had no difference)

5. Clubfoot affects the maneuverability of the Ankle Joint

6. Clubfoot affects strength of the foot and calf muscles.

7. Surgical method often has observable scars circling 2/3 of the

foot just below the ankle.

8. Those using the Ponseti method feel that a non-surgical method

leaves a stronger and less stiff ankle joint and stronger muscles,

ligaments and tendons. (Ponseti)

9. Whether done non-surgically or surgically, there is a tendency

for the feet to try to return to the original positions until as late

as 6 yrs. This is called relapse or recurrance.

and Claire

6/29/00

p.s. (Do you belong to CFPics? I'd send you a pic there if it would

help to see it.)

> Hi everyone!

> I haven't posted in some time but I am due in August. My baby boy

seems

> to have a left clubfoot. What has been your experience with foot,

leg,

> and calf length compared to the " normal " side? I have seen some

> HORRIBLE pictures on the internet but found that most of them are due

> to poor treatment in childhood. Thanks ahead of time for your

insight. -

> kelly )

[Guest guest]

Those stats are definitely helpful AND quite encouragining. This is such a great

group. I would love to see the pic if you don't mind sharing. Thanks! -kelly

)

PS. I go to the perinatologist tomorrow (for something other than

clubfoot---previa) so I will try to get another look at his little foot. We've

seen it several times now on ultrasound so we definitely know it's there.

and Claire wrote:

Hi, ,

My daughter is 5, with unilateral left cf, too. Her calf is thinner,

but you really have to look to see it. No one seems to notice unless

it's pointed out, and even then they have to really look. She took

ballet and swimming lessons recently, and neither teacher noticed

anything. Her cf foot is 1 size smaller, but not enough to have to buy

different sized shoes. There's no difference in leg length. Her

function is great. And her corrected foot looks completely normal.

I too was scared by things I saw/read about on the internet.. I can

honestly tell you the size difference/cosmetic concerns have not even

been an issue for us. Maybe at certain points when she's older it will

be different, but I have completely stopped worrying/obsessing about

it. (I wish I'd done much less of it early on!)

Here are some stats from 's parent research paper here in the

Files section:

----------

Physically Observable Results after Successful Treatment

The following results show a variation of affects depending on the

severity of each child's condition regardless of treatment with non-

surgical or surgical correction. (Dr. Lehman, chapter 34, Disorders of

the Foot and Ankle, 1979-1987) (Ponseti 1980 study)

1. Shoe Size, Shortening of the Affected Foot, from 0-4 cm

(average 1.6cm) (Ponseti's 1980 study mean difference was 1.3 cm)

2. Difference between the Width of the Feet, 0-.6 cm (average

0.3cm) (Ponseti's 1980 study mean difference was 0.4 cm)

3. Difference in Circumference of the Calves, 0-5.5 cm (average

2.5 cm) (Ponseti's 1980 study mean difference was 2.3 cm)

4. Leg-Length Difference, 0-5cm (average 0.6cm) (Ponseti's 1980

study had no difference)

5. Clubfoot affects the maneuverability of the Ankle Joint

6. Clubfoot affects strength of the foot and calf muscles.

7. Surgical method often has observable scars circling 2/3 of the

foot just below the ankle.

8. Those using the Ponseti method feel that a non-surgical method

leaves a stronger and less stiff ankle joint and stronger muscles,

ligaments and tendons. (Ponseti)

9. Whether done non-surgically or surgically, there is a tendency

for the feet to try to return to the original positions until as late

as 6 yrs. This is called relapse or recurrance.

and Claire

6/29/00

p.s. (Do you belong to CFPics? I'd send you a pic there if it would

help to see it.)

> Hi everyone!

> I haven't posted in some time but I am due in August. My baby boy

seems

> to have a left clubfoot. What has been your experience with foot,

leg,

> and calf length compared to the " normal " side? I have seen some

> HORRIBLE pictures on the internet but found that most of them are due

> to poor treatment in childhood. Thanks ahead of time for your

insight. -

> kelly )