Re: making the choice..

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the board. I don't understand how a doctor could see

your child but not examine his foot. That doesn't even make sense!

I can see why you're confused! I am sure that Dr. Ponseti will

respond to you, and there is no reason that he wouldn't see your son

if you have a way to get to Iowa City! Lots of families have

traveled there from all over the world just to have him treat their

babies. Dr. Ponseti loves the children and does all that he can to

help them!

It could be that your child has metatarsus adductus or clubfoot, and

I'm sorry that you have received both as a diagnosis. That's very

confusing to say the least. My understanding of MA is that it

usually does not require any treatment as the child outgrows the

condition. I also understand that even severe cases of MA that

require treatment start with casting and not plastic splints, so I

would not automatically trust what that doctor told you. Your child

could have a severe case of MA, or a mild case of clubfoot I

guess...but I don't like the fact that the second doctor who

diagnosed clubfoot didn't even examine his foot.

Do you mind telling us who these doctors were? Maybe we can help

you by giving input about these doctors based on our knowledge of

their experiences treating other families who belong to this board.

Not knowing that, I would guess that your only choice is to get a

third opinion. If you have the means to go to Iowa, you don't need

to wait for Dr. Ponseti's response via email, you can call there

directly and talk to the staff about setting up an appointment. If

you need more information about going to Iowa, just ask and we'll

get you the info you need. Here's a website that can help you with

your research on clubfoot: http://members.tripod.com/ponseti_links-

ivil

Regards,

& (3-16-00, left clubfoot)

>

> Hello everyone. I was wondering if maybe you guys would be able

to

> help me. My son was born on the 16th of December 2005, we have

seen

> two different doctors. These doctors told me two different

stories

> about my child. One doctor told me that he did not have a club

foot

> but he did have metatarsus adductus and it would be treated with a

> plastic brace. (this doctor touch my sons foot and examine it)

The

> other doctor told me that my son had a club foot and that he would

> need to be put into casts and then have his tendon cut. (this

doctor

> didn't even touch my son foot.) Have any of you had this happen

to

> you and what did you do. I have emailed Doctor Ponseti and asked

for

> his advice and if he would see my son so that my mind would be at

ease

> with my decsion but he has not emailed me back. If any of you can

> help me it would be greatly appreciated.

>

[Guest guest]

If you can email Dr. Ponseti pictures, that would help you get a correct

diagnosis. My daughter has bilateral club feet as well as metatarsus adductus

so it is possible to have both. I would not trust a doctor who did not touch and

move my child's feet when making a diagnosis, personally. Here is a link which

describes both issues.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20040215/865.html<http://www.aafp.org/afp/20040215/865.h\

tml>

One thing I have learned about club feet is that they all look different. A

good, hands on exam is needed to make a correct diagnosis and then get the right

treatment. Did you see a pediatric orthopedic doctor either time? If you can

tell us where you are located, then maybe we can suggest a good doctor in your

area. All the best to you and congrats on your baby!

Carol and , bcf, 10-27-05

making the choice..

Hello everyone. I was wondering if maybe you guys would be able to

help me. My son was born on the 16th of December 2005, we have seen

two different doctors. These doctors told me two different stories

about my child. One doctor told me that he did not have a club foot

but he did have metatarsus adductus and it would be treated with a

plastic brace. (this doctor touch my sons foot and examine it) The

other doctor told me that my son had a club foot and that he would

need to be put into casts and then have his tendon cut. (this doctor

didn't even touch my son foot.) Have any of you had this happen to

you and what did you do. I have emailed Doctor Ponseti and asked for

his advice and if he would see my son so that my mind would be at ease

with my decsion but he has not emailed me back. If any of you can

help me it would be greatly appreciated.

[Guest guest]

You have done the right thing! I have not been in your situation; however, if I

was, you have done exactly what I would do. Dr. Ponseti will be able to tell

right away if your child's feet are clubbed or not.

11/19

tannerjoesmom wrote:

Hello everyone. I was wondering if maybe you guys would be able to

help me. My son was born on the 16th of December 2005, we have seen

two different doctors. These doctors told me two different stories

about my child. One doctor told me that he did not have a club foot

but he did have metatarsus adductus and it would be treated with a

plastic brace. (this doctor touch my sons foot and examine it) The

other doctor told me that my son had a club foot and that he would

need to be put into casts and then have his tendon cut. (this doctor

didn't even touch my son foot.) Have any of you had this happen to

you and what did you do. I have emailed Doctor Ponseti and asked for

his advice and if he would see my son so that my mind would be at ease

with my decsion but he has not emailed me back. If any of you can

help me it would be greatly appreciated.

[Guest guest]

Your story is very similar to ours. When our daughter was born we

were told that she had metatarsus adductus also. She definately did

not have " true club feet " . We were refered to an orthopedic at a St.

Louis children's hospital who " specialized " with foot disorders. My

daughter had a series of splints made, and did not improve.

The " specialist " then told me that my child did have club foot and

would need serial casting. I asked the Dr if she was doing the

Ponseti method, and she told me that it was all the same. My

daughter then went through several casts, was given a tenotomy that

was done incorrectly and put in splints again. It all failed. I was

left with a child who had been through hell and back, still had feet

that were not straight, and had a " specialist " that was telling me

that there was nothing else to do but " the big surgery " . I ran from

there and never looked back!!

I had to start over from square one with casting, tenotomy and

braces. This time it was with Dr. Dobbs in St. Louis. After the

first set of casts were removed the change was dramatic, my

daughter's feet looked perfect. I knew at that moment that I was in

the right place. I just wish that I had known about Dr. Dobbs

sooner. I could have saved so much time, effort, money, and

heartache- if I had just started out with Ponseti method. Trust me,

it is NOT " all the same " . No matter what your child's diagnosis is,

find a real Ponseti trained doctor. Do not make the same mistakes

that I did. Do not put your child in the hands of any doctor that is

not trained in this method.

I wish you the best-

Jen

Ava (1/18/02)

Addie (8/2/04)Dobb's Brace 18/7

>

> Hello everyone. I was wondering if maybe you guys would be able

to

> help me. My son was born on the 16th of December 2005, we have

seen

> two different doctors. These doctors told me two different

stories

> about my child. One doctor told me that he did not have a club

foot

> but he did have metatarsus adductus and it would be treated with a

> plastic brace. (this doctor touch my sons foot and examine it)

The

> other doctor told me that my son had a club foot and that he would

> need to be put into casts and then have his tendon cut. (this

doctor

> didn't even touch my son foot.) Have any of you had this happen

to

> you and what did you do. I have emailed Doctor Ponseti and asked

for

> his advice and if he would see my son so that my mind would be at

ease

> with my decsion but he has not emailed me back. If any of you can

> help me it would be greatly appreciated.

>

[Guest guest]

Our first doctor was Dr. Gilarski at McFarland Clinic in

Ames, Ia and the second Doctor was Farber at Iowa

Orthopaedic Center in Des Moines, Ia. When I said that he didn't

examine his foot, I meant he didn't touch it. He moved his hips and

played around with his right foot but then when it came to his left

foot he didn't touch it. He came out and said it was a club foot.

We just didn't understand how he could say that it was a club foot

if he didn't touch it like the other one.

> >

> > Hello everyone. I was wondering if maybe you guys would be able

> to

> > help me. My son was born on the 16th of December 2005, we have

> seen

> > two different doctors. These doctors told me two different

> stories

> > about my child. One doctor told me that he did not have a club

> foot

> > but he did have metatarsus adductus and it would be treated with

a

> > plastic brace. (this doctor touch my sons foot and examine it)

> The

> > other doctor told me that my son had a club foot and that he

would

> > need to be put into casts and then have his tendon cut. (this

> doctor

> > didn't even touch my son foot.) Have any of you had this happen

> to

> > you and what did you do. I have emailed Doctor Ponseti and

asked

> for

> > his advice and if he would see my son so that my mind would be

at

> ease

> > with my decsion but he has not emailed me back. If any of you

can

> > help me it would be greatly appreciated.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Since you are in Iowa, my advice would be to get to Dr, Ponseti as soon as

possible. You will feel so much better that you are getting the right diagnosis

and treatment.

Carol

Re: making the choice..

Our first doctor was Dr. Gilarski at McFarland Clinic in

Ames, Ia and the second Doctor was Farber at Iowa

Orthopaedic Center in Des Moines, Ia. When I said that he didn't

examine his foot, I meant he didn't touch it. He moved his hips and

played around with his right foot but then when it came to his left

foot he didn't touch it. He came out and said it was a club foot.

We just didn't understand how he could say that it was a club foot

if he didn't touch it like the other one.

> >

> > Hello everyone. I was wondering if maybe you guys would be able

> to

> > help me. My son was born on the 16th of December 2005, we have

> seen

> > two different doctors. These doctors told me two different

> stories

> > about my child. One doctor told me that he did not have a club

> foot

> > but he did have metatarsus adductus and it would be treated with

a

> > plastic brace. (this doctor touch my sons foot and examine it)

> The

> > other doctor told me that my son had a club foot and that he

would

> > need to be put into casts and then have his tendon cut. (this

> doctor

> > didn't even touch my son foot.) Have any of you had this happen

> to

> > you and what did you do. I have emailed Doctor Ponseti and

asked

> for

> > his advice and if he would see my son so that my mind would be

at

> ease

> > with my decsion but he has not emailed me back. If any of you

can

> > help me it would be greatly appreciated.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hooray! You're in Iowa!!!!!!!

This is an easy recommendation...go directly to Iowa City and don't

look back! The doctors at the UIHC are the best in the world for

clubfoot!!! You don't have to wait to hear back from Dr. P!

Please call and make an appointment- (319)356-3469 -you won't be

disappointed! Please keep us posted!

& (3-16-00, lcf)

> > >

> > > Hello everyone. I was wondering if maybe you guys would be

able

> > to

> > > help me. My son was born on the 16th of December 2005, we have

> > seen

> > > two different doctors. These doctors told me two different

> > stories

> > > about my child. One doctor told me that he did not have a

club

> > foot

> > > but he did have metatarsus adductus and it would be treated

with

> a

> > > plastic brace. (this doctor touch my sons foot and examine

it)

> > The

> > > other doctor told me that my son had a club foot and that he

> would

> > > need to be put into casts and then have his tendon cut. (this

> > doctor

> > > didn't even touch my son foot.) Have any of you had this

happen

> > to

> > > you and what did you do. I have emailed Doctor Ponseti and

> asked

> > for

> > > his advice and if he would see my son so that my mind would be

> at

> > ease

> > > with my decsion but he has not emailed me back. If any of you

> can

> > > help me it would be greatly appreciated.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

It is unfortunate but it is my understanding that it is really

difficult to get proper clubfoot treatment in Iowa unless you go to

Iowa City. There are a couple doctors in Mason City who are also on

Dr. Ponseti's qualified physicians list. It just doesn't make sense

to me that Iowa City is THE #1 place in the country for clubfoot

treatment but the docs in Des Moines and other larger cities have not

figured out how to do it properly yet.

If you could send photos to Dr. Ponseti that would be ideal, he is one

of the few people who can diagnose via email. Dr. Ponseti has been

extremely busy lately, you might try emailing his " right hand man " ,

Morcuende at jose-morcuende @ uiowa.edu (minus the spaces).

I really don't understand why that doctor checked your son's hips and

other foot, but didn't even touch the foot in question. I can

certainly see why you are confused. Since you are in Iowa, I would

not hesitate to take the opportunity to see Dr. Ponseti or for that

matter, any of the docs there at U of I, Drs. Morcuende, Dietz and

Weinstein are all excellent and you couldn't be in better hands with

any of them.

> > >

> > > Hello everyone. I was wondering if maybe you guys would be able

> > to

> > > help me. My son was born on the 16th of December 2005, we have

> > seen

> > > two different doctors. These doctors told me two different

> > stories

> > > about my child. One doctor told me that he did not have a club

> > foot

> > > but he did have metatarsus adductus and it would be treated with

> a

> > > plastic brace. (this doctor touch my sons foot and examine it)

> > The

> > > other doctor told me that my son had a club foot and that he

> would

> > > need to be put into casts and then have his tendon cut. (this

> > doctor

> > > didn't even touch my son foot.) Have any of you had this happen

> > to

> > > you and what did you do. I have emailed Doctor Ponseti and

> asked

> > for

> > > his advice and if he would see my son so that my mind would be

> at

> > ease

> > > with my decsion but he has not emailed me back. If any of you

> can

> > > help me it would be greatly appreciated.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

I agree that it is unfortunate that just being in Iowa isn't enough to

get great clubfoot treatment. However, just being in Iowa City isn't a

guarantee either. Jakob wasn't born at UIHC and had 1 set of casts put

on by another ortho while still in the hospital. Those casts were

horrible - below the knee, rough, his foot was not pointed, etc. - and

they rubbed sores behind his knees that left scars larger than the

tenotomy scars. When that ortho referred us to UIHC " where they see

this sort of thing everyday " , it was the best thing he could have done

for us.

wrote:

> It is unfortunate but it is my understanding that it is really

> difficult to get proper clubfoot treatment in Iowa unless you go to

> Iowa City. There are a couple doctors in Mason City who are also on

> Dr. Ponseti's qualified physicians list. It just doesn't make sense

> to me that Iowa City is THE #1 place in the country for clubfoot

> treatment but the docs in Des Moines and other larger cities have not

> figured out how to do it properly yet.

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for the clarification, pathetic isn't is that even other docs

in Iowa City still haven't figured it out. Awfully glad that you got

that referral!

>

> > It is unfortunate but it is my understanding that it is really

> > difficult to get proper clubfoot treatment in Iowa unless you go to

> > Iowa City. There are a couple doctors in Mason City who are also on

> > Dr. Ponseti's qualified physicians list. It just doesn't make sense

> > to me that Iowa City is THE #1 place in the country for clubfoot

> > treatment but the docs in Des Moines and other larger cities have not

> > figured out how to do it properly yet.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Isn't that just incredible? Geesh - that's like promoting soy milk in a state

like Wisconsin!

s.

Re: Re: making the choice..

,

I agree that it is unfortunate that just being in Iowa isn't enough to

get great clubfoot treatment. However, just being in Iowa City isn't a

guarantee either. Jakob wasn't born at UIHC and had 1 set of casts put

on by another ortho while still in the hospital. Those casts were

horrible - below the knee, rough, his foot was not pointed, etc. - and

they rubbed sores behind his knees that left scars larger than the

tenotomy scars. When that ortho referred us to UIHC " where they see

this sort of thing everyday " , it was the best thing he could have done

for us.

wrote:

> It is unfortunate but it is my understanding that it is really

> difficult to get proper clubfoot treatment in Iowa unless you go to

> Iowa City. There are a couple doctors in Mason City who are also on

> Dr. Ponseti's qualified physicians list. It just doesn't make sense

> to me that Iowa City is THE #1 place in the country for clubfoot

> treatment but the docs in Des Moines and other larger cities have not

> figured out how to do it properly yet.