New to list/ 10mth daughter with BCF

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Dr. Craig is our orthopedic surgeon he uses the casting method. Our

daughter has been responding really well. Her feet didn't

look really mild or anything but fortunately they were very flexible

and she didn't require the tetonomy (sp).

She was in casts from 6 days age, changed weekly for 5 or 6 weeks.

Her feet were little so we had to wait in the casts for a little

longer than it took to correct them because those Markell shoes

wouldn't fit until her feet grew some more. Her feet were set at 70

degrees for the 23/7 portion which lasted for about 12 weeks. Her

feet were then set at 40 degrees because they were 'over-corrected',

and she needed to wear the orthotic for 12 hours, then at 6 mths Dr.

Craig said we could cut down to 10 hours.

Her orthotic shoes have been modified so that the 'bar' is actually

made of plastic instead of the metal. The result is much lighter.

Also we don't use the 'combination lock looking thing' on the

bottom. Since her feet are always fixed at 70 or now 40, there

didn't seem the need. The added bonus is one could stand flat on the

bottom of the shoe also.

We also don't use the laces or tongue on the Markell shoe, we have

sewn velcro straps. They work really well for us.. faster and

easier. I have been looking at the shoe, they seem so

nice.... cushy inside and flexible. Dr. Craig is a wonderful doctor

but he is really cost averse. I was so naive in the beginning, I

said so when does get a mold for her feet so her shoes can be

made... (which is what does) and I was told it was too

expensive because the babies feet grow so quickly , etc. hence the

dreaded Markell shoe. At least they are using a plastic rather than

metal bar now in his practice.

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group! Sounds like you've gotten a good start

on things - yay! for your daughter doing so well.

Sounds like Dr. Craig has done a good job with the correction,

although I would tell you that there are a couple " pink " flags (i.e.

not exactly a red flags) in the post correction protocol he is

following. Please don't take this the wrong way, I don't want to tell

you this to make you feel like I am criticizing your doctor, just so

you might bring these up to him as questions, and or keep them in your

mind as things to look for.

The reduction in the angle of the shoes from 70 to 40 is usually only

done in the rare case (and at a much older age) that a child has loose

ligaments. The natural regression of the foot from 70 back to neutral

will happen gradually over time, but the shoes are generally kept at

70 in order to maintain the full range of motion of the foot. If the

foot and shoes are turned back to 40 at this young of an age it can

let the foot relapse even more, and you can end up with a relapse in

which the foot becomes adducted (turned in) again. The other thing

that concerns me a bit is that is still quite young to be in the

shoes only 10 hours a day. There is still a great chance for relapse

at this age, it is usually recommended to keep up longer hours - like

a minimum of 14 at this age, dropping to about 12 hours after she

begins walking on her own.

The brace set up you have sounds new and different than any we've seen

here - got any pictures? We'd love to see how they are modifying the

shoes and bar - new improvements in this area are always of great

interest here! The ability to stand flat on the bottom of the shoe

sounds really good too - I'm really interested to see how they are

doing it. This group does not accept attachments so if you'd like to

share photos easily you can join our CFPics group here:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CFPics/

Just fill out and return the short survey in the welcome email you'll

recieve and then you can be approved for membership quickly.

Best wishes,

Mom to Jenna (4/7/01) & Sammy (9/25/04, RCF, Dobbs' brace, 12-14hrs/day)

>

> Hi,

> Dr. Craig is our orthopedic surgeon he uses the casting method. Our

> daughter has been responding really well. Her feet didn't

> look really mild or anything but fortunately they were very flexible

> and she didn't require the tetonomy (sp).

>

> She was in casts from 6 days age, changed weekly for 5 or 6 weeks.

> Her feet were little so we had to wait in the casts for a little

> longer than it took to correct them because those Markell shoes

> wouldn't fit until her feet grew some more. Her feet were set at 70

> degrees for the 23/7 portion which lasted for about 12 weeks. Her

> feet were then set at 40 degrees because they were 'over-corrected',

> and she needed to wear the orthotic for 12 hours, then at 6 mths Dr.

> Craig said we could cut down to 10 hours.

>

> Her orthotic shoes have been modified so that the 'bar' is actually

> made of plastic instead of the metal. The result is much lighter.

> Also we don't use the 'combination lock looking thing' on the

> bottom. Since her feet are always fixed at 70 or now 40, there

> didn't seem the need. The added bonus is one could stand flat on the

> bottom of the shoe also.

>

> We also don't use the laces or tongue on the Markell shoe, we have

> sewn velcro straps. They work really well for us.. faster and

> easier. I have been looking at the shoe, they seem so

> nice.... cushy inside and flexible. Dr. Craig is a wonderful doctor

> but he is really cost averse. I was so naive in the beginning, I

> said so when does get a mold for her feet so her shoes can be

> made... (which is what does) and I was told it was too

> expensive because the babies feet grow so quickly , etc. hence the

> dreaded Markell shoe. At least they are using a plastic rather than

> metal bar now in his practice.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group

Sounds like treatment is going well for and that you are happy

with the results. From what you have mentioned, all sounds great

except the degree of outward rotation and the hrs, she really should

be in her shoes longer than 10 hrs right now...kids grow so so much

during the first year and periods of high growth rate are when there

is the greatest chance of relapse and that is what we all want to

avoid! It is easy to brace longer at her age, just keep her in em for

a few more hrs. a day (I would do 14 for sure). She probably (one

would hope LOL) sleeps longer than 10 hrs anyway right?! Then ya can

reduce her hours to say 12 when she's walking.

Sounds like you are happy with Dr. Craig and that's great esp. if he

has achieved a good correction for but (and please take this

the right way cuz I am not critisizing Dr. Craig here) I would also

question the 40 degree outward rotation. Almost all of us here

without exeption have our kids' shoes set at 70 degrees. They're feet

do and will turn back in when they start really walking. Must say

that I am a bit concerned at her being set at 40 degrees right now.

I too would really love to see this new brace. It's nice to be able

to see other kids feet to, gives you something to compare to would

love to see her feet too if ya don't mind and one of her face too, we

love to see all the cute lil kiddo's! There is a short survey to be

filled out to weed out anyone who isn't joining for the right reasons.

Glad to have you on board and looking forward to seeing this new

lightweight brace and pics of your sweet girl

Smiles,

& Grace 20mos

unilateral right club foot FAB 13 hrs/day

>

> Hi,

> Dr. Craig is our orthopedic surgeon he uses the casting method.

Our

> daughter has been responding really well. Her feet didn't

> look really mild or anything but fortunately they were very

flexible

> and she didn't require the tetonomy (sp).

>

> She was in casts from 6 days age, changed weekly for 5 or 6 weeks.

> Her feet were little so we had to wait in the casts for a little

> longer than it took to correct them because those Markell shoes

> wouldn't fit until her feet grew some more. Her feet were set at 70

> degrees for the 23/7 portion which lasted for about 12 weeks. Her

> feet were then set at 40 degrees because they were 'over-

corrected',

> and she needed to wear the orthotic for 12 hours, then at 6 mths

Dr.

> Craig said we could cut down to 10 hours.

>

> Her orthotic shoes have been modified so that the 'bar' is actually

> made of plastic instead of the metal. The result is much lighter.

> Also we don't use the 'combination lock looking thing' on the

> bottom. Since her feet are always fixed at 70 or now 40, there

> didn't seem the need. The added bonus is one could stand flat on

the

> bottom of the shoe also.

>

> We also don't use the laces or tongue on the Markell shoe, we have

> sewn velcro straps. They work really well for us.. faster and

> easier. I have been looking at the shoe, they seem so

> nice.... cushy inside and flexible. Dr. Craig is a wonderful

doctor

> but he is really cost averse. I was so naive in the beginning, I

> said so when does get a mold for her feet so her shoes can be

> made... (which is what does) and I was told it was too

> expensive because the babies feet grow so quickly , etc. hence the

> dreaded Markell shoe. At least they are using a plastic rather

than

> metal bar now in his practice.

>