Guest guest Posted December 30, 2005 Report Share Posted December 30, 2005 The PM's have their own bar, which is actually quite light. They don't work with any of the other bars available. Personally I don't think it's the bar that's heavy, the Markells are heavier than the PM's, the bar is fairly light. It's all that hardware on the sole plates methinks. At any rate, you don't have to worry about the bar because your new FAB will come with it's own. Interestingly enough very few Orthotists know the first thing about fitting the Markell shoes or have any inkling of the proper instructions to give parents. This is why the FAB tips was prepared, most of the info in there parents aren't ever told. It is also why so many sores and toleration issues are reported, many parents and orthotists give up after their meager resources for making the shoes work are exhausted. There's not a lot of help out there from the people who should know these things for these shoes. They aren't actually bad shoes, many of our children have worn them just happily. If you have out of the shoes because of the sore, you should ABSOLUTELY cut a hole in them so the sore isn't being pressed upon and put them back on. Her being out of them waiting the 2-3w (at least 2w, is extremely busy trying to make as many of these as he can so it does take a while to get the PM's) will put her at very increased risk for relapse. If so, even the PM's won't work well for her and she'll have to be re-casted and start all over again. So get a knife, chop up the shoes where her sore is (heel area right? perfectly ok to chop them there, lots of parents have done it with remarkable success. Baby is happy immediately. LMK if you need assistance with this. It really can work and will save you from worrying about relapse while her new shoes are made. Kori At 01:38 PM 12/30/2005, you wrote: >I have decided to order the shoes for since the >Markells are killing her little feet, but I would like a lighter >alternative to the DBB. We have a six inch DBB (gold) which must >weigh several pounds! She can hardly lift it at all and not very >high. I know this is part of her frustration with the bar/shoes. >Since it is just a simple bar connecting the shoes, I'm sure there >must be a better alternative. >Any suggestions are welcome. > >BTW, can I just rant a bit about the lack of knowledge of orthotists >and even orthopedists about what is out there for club foot kids? >No one had ever heard of an adjustable bar, and the orthotics place >(the best one in a large metropolitan city) didn't have any shoes >with the heel cut out for a baby her size. They put these horribly >stiff shoes with a heavy, heavy bar on a baby and then wonder why >the baby has problems?!? I do not get this except that it is just >little babies and toddlers who can't complain...if adults had to >wear the equivalent of this, they would go off the market >immediately! > >Carol and , bcf, 10-27-05, currently out of the Markells >because of a pressure sore, uncasted and waiting to see the >orthopedist on Monday > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2006 Report Share Posted January 1, 2006 Thanks, Kori. The sore is actually on the side/front of her right big toe. Her toes curve around really strangely in a way which I have not seen in other club feet babies...at least the pictures I have seen. That is one reason I want to go to see Dr. Ponseti. We have a great Ponseti-trained orthopedist here but he is at a loss to explain why her toes look the way they do. That is good to hear that the bar and the shoes are lightweight. That was one of my concerns with the Markells and DBB set-up. She is too little to lift it and that caused much frustration. Insurance didn't cover the cost of the Markells and DBB and they were worn for about 30 hours total so we paid $245.00 for our pressure sore, basically. I know they cannot be returned, but I am considering selling them to someone else whose insurance will not pay for them. I don't know if people do this, but we need to try and fund the cost of the 's. Right now, it is all going on a credit card....a small price to pay for my baby's comfort, but still it doesn't feel great to lay out money for shoes which didn't work and now have to get some that will. I think that will be recasted on Monday when we go see the orthopedist. That is what I will ask for, anyway, while we wait for the s. I can deal with the casts and I know they don't hurt her so I don't mind too much. I don't want her to relapse while waiting for the shoes. We have worked too hard to get where we are and I don't want to have to repeat it. Also, my goal has been to get her out of the initial casting phase and through the 23/7 shoes phase as early as possible. I think she will tolerate it best while so young and it will not interfere as much with her development that way. My theory, anyway! Does make shoes for Dr. Ponseti? I notice that is located in Iowa but can't tell where exactly. I wondered if they were associated together. Thanks again for your response and offer of help! Carol Re: DBB alternatives? The PM's have their own bar, which is actually quite light. They don't work with any of the other bars available. Personally I don't think it's the bar that's heavy, the Markells are heavier than the PM's, the bar is fairly light. It's all that hardware on the sole plates methinks. At any rate, you don't have to worry about the bar because your new FAB will come with it's own. Interestingly enough very few Orthotists know the first thing about fitting the Markell shoes or have any inkling of the proper instructions to give parents. This is why the FAB tips was prepared, most of the info in there parents aren't ever told. It is also why so many sores and toleration issues are reported, many parents and orthotists give up after their meager resources for making the shoes work are exhausted. There's not a lot of help out there from the people who should know these things for these shoes. They aren't actually bad shoes, many of our children have worn them just happily. If you have out of the shoes because of the sore, you should ABSOLUTELY cut a hole in them so the sore isn't being pressed upon and put them back on. Her being out of them waiting the 2-3w (at least 2w, is extremely busy trying to make as many of these as he can so it does take a while to get the PM's) will put her at very increased risk for relapse. If so, even the PM's won't work well for her and she'll have to be re-casted and start all over again. So get a knife, chop up the shoes where her sore is (heel area right? perfectly ok to chop them there, lots of parents have done it with remarkable success. Baby is happy immediately. LMK if you need assistance with this. It really can work and will save you from worrying about relapse while her new shoes are made. Kori At 01:38 PM 12/30/2005, you wrote: >I have decided to order the shoes for since the >Markells are killing her little feet, but I would like a lighter >alternative to the DBB. We have a six inch DBB (gold) which must >weigh several pounds! She can hardly lift it at all and not very >high. I know this is part of her frustration with the bar/shoes. >Since it is just a simple bar connecting the shoes, I'm sure there >must be a better alternative. >Any suggestions are welcome. > >BTW, can I just rant a bit about the lack of knowledge of orthotists >and even orthopedists about what is out there for club foot kids? >No one had ever heard of an adjustable bar, and the orthotics place >(the best one in a large metropolitan city) didn't have any shoes >with the heel cut out for a baby her size. They put these horribly >stiff shoes with a heavy, heavy bar on a baby and then wonder why >the baby has problems?!? I do not get this except that it is just >little babies and toddlers who can't complain...if adults had to >wear the equivalent of this, they would go off the market >immediately! > >Carol and , bcf, 10-27-05, currently out of the Markells >because of a pressure sore, uncasted and waiting to see the >orthopedist on Monday > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2006 Report Share Posted January 1, 2006 Do you have a pic of your daughter's foot? My son's toes curl into. His doctor back home called it the " Log effect. " We were going to have surgery on his toes for that, but our doctor moved out of state and we were in the proxies of moving also. This is one of the ?'s I will be asking Dr. Dobbs about when we see him. Bri Carol Shelton wrote: Thanks, Kori. The sore is actually on the side/front of her right big toe. Her toes curve around really strangely in a way which I have not seen in other club feet babies...at least the pictures I have seen. That is one reason I want to go to see Dr. Ponseti. We have a great Ponseti-trained orthopedist here but he is at a loss to explain why her toes look the way they do. That is good to hear that the bar and the shoes are lightweight. That was one of my concerns with the Markells and DBB set-up. She is too little to lift it and that caused much frustration. Insurance didn't cover the cost of the Markells and DBB and they were worn for about 30 hours total so we paid $245.00 for our pressure sore, basically. I know they cannot be returned, but I am considering selling them to someone else whose insurance will not pay for them. I don't know if people do this, but we need to try and fund the cost of the 's. Right now, it is all going on a credit card....a small price to pay for my baby's comfort, but still it doesn't feel great to lay out money for shoes which didn't work and now have to get some that will. I think that will be recasted on Monday when we go see the orthopedist. That is what I will ask for, anyway, while we wait for the s. I can deal with the casts and I know they don't hurt her so I don't mind too much. I don't want her to relapse while waiting for the shoes. We have worked too hard to get where we are and I don't want to have to repeat it. Also, my goal has been to get her out of the initial casting phase and through the 23/7 shoes phase as early as possible. I think she will tolerate it best while so young and it will not interfere as much with her development that way. My theory, anyway! Does make shoes for Dr. Ponseti? I notice that is located in Iowa but can't tell where exactly. I wondered if they were associated together. Thanks again for your response and offer of help! Carol Re: DBB alternatives? The PM's have their own bar, which is actually quite light. They don't work with any of the other bars available. Personally I don't think it's the bar that's heavy, the Markells are heavier than the PM's, the bar is fairly light. It's all that hardware on the sole plates methinks. At any rate, you don't have to worry about the bar because your new FAB will come with it's own. Interestingly enough very few Orthotists know the first thing about fitting the Markell shoes or have any inkling of the proper instructions to give parents. This is why the FAB tips was prepared, most of the info in there parents aren't ever told. It is also why so many sores and toleration issues are reported, many parents and orthotists give up after their meager resources for making the shoes work are exhausted. There's not a lot of help out there from the people who should know these things for these shoes. They aren't actually bad shoes, many of our children have worn them just happily. If you have out of the shoes because of the sore, you should ABSOLUTELY cut a hole in them so the sore isn't being pressed upon and put them back on. Her being out of them waiting the 2-3w (at least 2w, is extremely busy trying to make as many of these as he can so it does take a while to get the PM's) will put her at very increased risk for relapse. If so, even the PM's won't work well for her and she'll have to be re-casted and start all over again. So get a knife, chop up the shoes where her sore is (heel area right? perfectly ok to chop them there, lots of parents have done it with remarkable success. Baby is happy immediately. LMK if you need assistance with this. It really can work and will save you from worrying about relapse while her new shoes are made. Kori At 01:38 PM 12/30/2005, you wrote: >I have decided to order the shoes for since the >Markells are killing her little feet, but I would like a lighter >alternative to the DBB. We have a six inch DBB (gold) which must >weigh several pounds! She can hardly lift it at all and not very >high. I know this is part of her frustration with the bar/shoes. >Since it is just a simple bar connecting the shoes, I'm sure there >must be a better alternative. >Any suggestions are welcome. > >BTW, can I just rant a bit about the lack of knowledge of orthotists >and even orthopedists about what is out there for club foot kids? >No one had ever heard of an adjustable bar, and the orthotics place >(the best one in a large metropolitan city) didn't have any shoes >with the heel cut out for a baby her size. They put these horribly >stiff shoes with a heavy, heavy bar on a baby and then wonder why >the baby has problems?!? I do not get this except that it is just >little babies and toddlers who can't complain...if adults had to >wear the equivalent of this, they would go off the market >immediately! > >Carol and , bcf, 10-27-05, currently out of the Markells >because of a pressure sore, uncasted and waiting to see the >orthopedist on Monday > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2006 Report Share Posted January 1, 2006 that's right, her sore is on her toe. Sorry, I forget... who has sores and where and all... I'd say chop the shoe in the front so she can wear them but if you want the PM's that's good too. Casting goes quickly and I think you're right, do it when she's young and it will be better all around. We had healing casts, I hardly remember them lol. You should also try to re-submit to your insurance, some parents here have found ways to get the DBB covered and can help you with that. Selling the shoes for what you paid for them could prove to be difficult because they did charge you significant markup on them. I believe they cost around $120-$150 for many parents. Brace shops (orthotists) seem to mark things up a lot for some reason. But do ask here about insurance covering them, search past posts too as this has been discussed a number of times. The good news is that there's a better chance of getting the PM's covered because of their insurance classification. Do order them directly from for the best price though. Yes, they are made in Iowa and were developed by with Dr. Ponseti. used to make the plastic foot models for Dr. P. and they worked together to design this shoe. I think London is about 30 miles from the U of Iowa... something like that because goes there something like once a week to see Dr. P. I gotta clean my kitchen and get off the puter lol... Kori At 11:28 AM 1/1/2006, you wrote: >Thanks, Kori. The sore is actually on the side/front of her right >big toe. Her toes curve around really strangely in a way which I >have not seen in other club feet babies...at least the pictures I >have seen. That is one reason I want to go to see Dr. Ponseti. We >have a great Ponseti-trained orthopedist here but he is at a loss to >explain why her toes look the way they do. > >That is good to hear that the bar and the shoes are >lightweight. That was one of my concerns with the Markells and DBB >set-up. She is too little to lift it and that caused much >frustration. Insurance didn't cover the cost of the Markells and >DBB and they were worn for about 30 hours total so we paid $245.00 >for our pressure sore, basically. I know they cannot be returned, >but I am considering selling them to someone else whose insurance >will not pay for them. I don't know if people do this, but we need >to try and fund the cost of the 's. Right now, it is all >going on a credit card....a small price to pay for my baby's >comfort, but still it doesn't feel great to lay out money for shoes >which didn't work and now have to get some that will. > >I think that will be recasted on Monday when we go see the >orthopedist. That is what I will ask for, anyway, while we wait for >the s. I can deal with the casts and I know they don't hurt >her so I don't mind too much. I don't want her to relapse while >waiting for the shoes. We have worked too hard to get where we are >and I don't want to have to repeat it. Also, my goal has been to >get her out of the initial casting phase and through the 23/7 shoes >phase as early as possible. I think she will tolerate it best while >so young and it will not interfere as much with her development that >way. My theory, anyway! > >Does make shoes for Dr. Ponseti? I notice that > is located in Iowa but can't tell where exactly. I >wondered if they were associated together. Thanks again for your >response and offer of help! > >Carol > Re: DBB alternatives? > > > The PM's have their own bar, which is actually quite light. They > don't work with any of the other bars available. > > Personally I don't think it's the bar that's heavy, the Markells are > heavier than the PM's, the bar is fairly light. It's all that > hardware on the sole plates methinks. At any rate, you don't have to > worry about the bar because your new FAB will come with it's own. > > Interestingly enough very few Orthotists know the first thing about > fitting the Markell shoes or have any inkling of the proper > instructions to give parents. This is why the FAB tips was prepared, > most of the info in there parents aren't ever told. It is also why > so many sores and toleration issues are reported, many parents and > orthotists give up after their meager resources for making the shoes > work are exhausted. There's not a lot of help out there from the > people who should know these things for these shoes. They aren't > actually bad shoes, many of our children have worn them just happily. > > If you have out of the shoes because of the sore, you should > ABSOLUTELY cut a hole in them so the sore isn't being pressed upon > and put them back on. Her being out of them waiting the 2-3w (at > least 2w, is extremely busy trying to make as many of these as > he can so it does take a while to get the PM's) will put her at very > increased risk for relapse. If so, even the PM's won't work well for > her and she'll have to be re-casted and start all over again. So get > a knife, chop up the shoes where her sore is (heel area > right? perfectly ok to chop them there, lots of parents have done it > with remarkable success. Baby is happy immediately. > > LMK if you need assistance with this. It really can work and will > save you from worrying about relapse while her new shoes are made. > > Kori > > > > > > At 01:38 PM 12/30/2005, you wrote: > >I have decided to order the shoes for since the > >Markells are killing her little feet, but I would like a lighter > >alternative to the DBB. We have a six inch DBB (gold) which must > >weigh several pounds! She can hardly lift it at all and not very > >high. I know this is part of her frustration with the bar/shoes. > >Since it is just a simple bar connecting the shoes, I'm sure there > >must be a better alternative. > >Any suggestions are welcome. > > > >BTW, can I just rant a bit about the lack of knowledge of orthotists > >and even orthopedists about what is out there for club foot kids? > >No one had ever heard of an adjustable bar, and the orthotics place > >(the best one in a large metropolitan city) didn't have any shoes > >with the heel cut out for a baby her size. They put these horribly > >stiff shoes with a heavy, heavy bar on a baby and then wonder why > >the baby has problems?!? I do not get this except that it is just > >little babies and toddlers who can't complain...if adults had to > >wear the equivalent of this, they would go off the market > >immediately! > > > >Carol and , bcf, 10-27-05, currently out of the Markells > >because of a pressure sore, uncasted and waiting to see the > >orthopedist on Monday > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 Best of luck to you with the insurance company! Ours typically tells us they'll cover something and then they don't, and I end up having to call and call and call to get things sorted out. Pain in the $%^%!!! Anyway, I hope this new company is easier to deal with, and if not, well you have experience from the other, right? I just got the impression kit for the s and was so excited... I almost considered waking up from his nap to do the impression so I could send it back!! How silly is that?!? I can't wait to get the brace back and know for sure that his little feet are maintaining as they should! I'm glad to hear that you'll be back into a healing cast, and that visually the feet still look good. I hope no correction has been lost during this time!! Where do you live? Forgive me if you posted that in the past... I can't keep up! I certainly hope it's not too far from Dr P and that you'll be able to see him soon! Take care, Stacee and 9/24/05 rcf > > >I have decided to order the shoes for since the > > >Markells are killing her little feet, but I would like a lighter > > >alternative to the DBB. We have a six inch DBB (gold) which must > > >weigh several pounds! She can hardly lift it at all and not very > > >high. I know this is part of her frustration with the bar/shoes. > > >Since it is just a simple bar connecting the shoes, I'm sure there > > >must be a better alternative. > > >Any suggestions are welcome. > > > > > >BTW, can I just rant a bit about the lack of knowledge of orthotists > > >and even orthopedists about what is out there for club foot kids? > > >No one had ever heard of an adjustable bar, and the orthotics place > > >(the best one in a large metropolitan city) didn't have any shoes > > >with the heel cut out for a baby her size. They put these horribly > > >stiff shoes with a heavy, heavy bar on a baby and then wonder why > > >the baby has problems?!? I do not get this except that it is just > > >little babies and toddlers who can't complain...if adults had to > > >wear the equivalent of this, they would go off the market > > >immediately! > > > > > >Carol and , bcf, 10-27-05, currently out of the Markells > > >because of a pressure sore, uncasted and waiting to see the > > >orthopedist on Monday > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 Well, they said they would, but not 100%, and we have to meet the deductible. Fortunately, with the new year comes a new deductible, so it's perfect timing with the shoes. We'll find out in a month or so whether or not they actually do reimburse us if we get a check... Wish us luck, I guess!! What has your insurance co said about them? Stacee > > > >I have decided to order the shoes for since the > > > >Markells are killing her little feet, but I would like a lighter > > > >alternative to the DBB. We have a six inch DBB (gold) which must > > > >weigh several pounds! She can hardly lift it at all and not very > > > >high. I know this is part of her frustration with the bar/shoes. > > > >Since it is just a simple bar connecting the shoes, I'm sure there > > > >must be a better alternative. > > > >Any suggestions are welcome. > > > > > > > >BTW, can I just rant a bit about the lack of knowledge of orthotists > > > >and even orthopedists about what is out there for club foot kids? > > > >No one had ever heard of an adjustable bar, and the orthotics place > > > >(the best one in a large metropolitan city) didn't have any shoes > > > >with the heel cut out for a baby her size. They put these horribly > > > >stiff shoes with a heavy, heavy bar on a baby and then wonder why > > > >the baby has problems?!? I do not get this except that it is just > > > >little babies and toddlers who can't complain...if adults had to > > > >wear the equivalent of this, they would go off the market > > > >immediately! > > > > > > > >Carol and , bcf, 10-27-05, currently out of the Markells > > > >because of a pressure sore, uncasted and waiting to see the > > > >orthopedist on Monday > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.