Visit with local Ortho

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to share a very interesting conversation that I had today! I

had to take my older son (not my clubfoot kid) in to see our local

orthopedic surgeon because he broke his fifth metatarsal. This doctor is

new to this area and was not around when Livie (my clubfoot kid) was born.

He is also not a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. While I was there I decided

to ask him if he ever treats clubfoot kids since Livie was referred to the

old local ortho when she was born. He said that he doesn't treat clubfoot

anymore because he rarely gets a referral and doesn't feel that he gets

enough practice. So my next question was what would you do if you did get a

clubfoot baby? I almost fell out of my seat when he said that he would

immediately send them to see Dr. Herzenberg. Keep in mind that we live in

Western Pennsylvania and Baltimore is a 6+ hour drive from here. Turns out

he did his pediatric rotation under Dr. Herzenberg and has had training

under Dr. Ponseti. I told him that Livie was born with a clubfoot. He

asked if she had had surgery and I told him she had not and that Dr. Ponseti

was her doctor. He was very impressed!

I was impressed that he knew of and had used the Ponseti method in the past

and also that he does not treat clubfoot anymore since he so rarely uses it.

I am thrilled beyond belief that we have a local ortho who is aware of the

Ponseti method and willing to send patients to a Ponseti using doctor!!

I left my name and number with him just in case he does get a referral to

pass on to any parents who want to speak to a been there done that Mom.

Woo-HOO!!

By the by, my older child's break is healing nicely!!

Jen & Livie (10-18-01 severe left clubfoot)