RE: HELP please, new with 5 week old with club foot

[Guest guest]

Trish,

We also had a problem with our son and the FAB. The first day/night he

screamed from the time we left the dr's office until the middle of the

next day. We beeped the dr it was so bad. He literally screamed almost

non stop. We kept thinking he would eventually get so tired that he

would fall asleep-that took a couple days. He would start to sleep,

then go to shift positions and realized the bar was still there and

start again. He lost his voice he had screamed so much. After a few

days he would just be more fussy then usual. I was so afraid that I had

lost my happy son. But a few more days went by and he was much better.

The biggest challenge was putting the shoes on, which he fought with all

his might, and screamed. After we got him in the shoes I would hold him

and he would fall asleep. Unfortunately he developed terrible blisters

and has been out of the FAB for a week. So we will have to go through

that process again. We had read to play with him with the bar, which

would also show him how to move his legs together. I felt that really

helped. Hang in there!! We just keep telling our son that when this is

all over we will burn the shoes not save them!

Re: HELP please, new with 5 week old with

club foot

Jenni,

He has been on the brace for 3 days. His crying isnt ALL the time. But

he'll fuss about every 10 minutes. Before the brace he would sleep for 4

hours at a time, now the most I can get him to go is 30 minute. I keep

checking his feet cause I feel like i must be doing something wrong for

him to be so fussy, but everything looks great. I just feel so bad for

him.

Thanks for your help.

Trish

Jenni Cypher wrote:

How long has your son been wearing the shoes and bar? My daughter

was older when she went into the FAB but it took her about 1-2 weeks to

fully adjust to it. Now it is really second nature to her. Try

rolling a blanket or towel and using that to put under his legs to try

to alleviate some of the weight. Does he cry nonstop or just fuss

occasionally? What exactly is his reaction?

I have heard of the Wheaton Brace. It is an AFO/KAFO type of brace

and personally I would steer clear of it. We had a round with an AFO

brace and it was truly a nightmare for me. The FAB adjustment period

paled in comparison to the problems we had with the AFO. It is not

used by Dr. Ponseti and in general, he does not recommend the use of

AFO's. Others on the list may have had more experience with the

Wheaton Brace and hopefully will be able to give you more specific

information about this.

Jenni

tomandtrishia wrote: I have several

questions that I hope you guys can help me with. My son

was born on 10/7 and has a clubfoot on his right side. We did our

first cast when he was 5 days old. (our doctor is trained in the

Ponsetti method, thank goodness) He had 3 sets of casts and is now in

the brown bar. He HATES it. I have been checking his feet and the

shoes are on right and he has no red marks or blisters. Is there

anything I can do to make it better for him. Also, a friend of mine

said her doctor used the Wheaton brace for her son's clubfoot. I cant

find anywhere that says thats a recommended treatment. Does anyone

have any information on the Wheaton brace? Is it something that is

used? Thanks in advance for all your help. I just feel so bad for my

son with him fussing all the time now.

Thanks again,

Trish

Savannah, GA