Re: Reducing Bracing Hours

[Guest guest]

Yes, Tom,

I would definitely recommend a more gradual reduction in hours. The

big issue with dropping hours too quickly, other than running the risk

of relapse, is that " taste of freedom " . A lot of the parents who have

gone straight from 23/7 to 12 or 14 hours have sorely regretted it

when their child suddenly started rebelling against the brace and/or

having lots of trouble sleeping at night because they were getting

accustomed to being out of the brace.

It is usually recommended to do a gradual drop, say 18-20 hrs. for a

couple months, 16-18 hrs. for a couple months, then 14-16, until you

get to 12-14 around the time the child turns 1 and starts walking

independently. You want them to be really into the full-time weight

bearing stage before you go to the lower hours.

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

>

> At our last appointment with Dr. Frick, he said 's feet were

> looking good and we could reduce the brace wear to 14 hours a day in

> another month (we're currently at 23/7 and another month will be 3

> months out of the casts). However, I remember reading somewhere that

> the transition should be more gradual than this. Is this correct, or

> is my memory faulty? If it should be more gradual, what sort of

> reduction schedule is recommended, and why is doing it gradually so

> important?

>

> Thanks,

> Tom

>

[Guest guest]

I wanted to add that our Ponseti doctor said basically the same

thing....he follows the Ponseti method to a T in ALL other regards.

He started the Ugandan Project bringing the method to Africa and is a

staunch supporter big time BUT the reason he says 14 - 16 hrs when

reducing from 23/7 wear is that he is worried about parent

compliance, I do understand this. But for those of us here (and there

are tons more I am sure) that isn't an issue so we perfer to err on

the side of caution and follow Dr. Ponseti's protocol's for reduction

which are outlined at his web site.

The chance for relapse is the highest in the first year and it is

just soo easy to keep them in the brace longer for that first year,,,

my question is....Why not?! I know that it seems so 'liberating' to

have baby out of the brace but a couple extra hours in the brace to

ensure there is no relapse is no biggie to me. Being kinda blunt here

I guess but it's a no brainer to me

& Grace 22mos

> >

> > At our last appointment with Dr. Frick, he said 's feet

were

> > looking good and we could reduce the brace wear to 14 hours a day

in

> > another month (we're currently at 23/7 and another month will be 3

> > months out of the casts). However, I remember reading somewhere

that

> > the transition should be more gradual than this. Is this

correct, or

> > is my memory faulty? If it should be more gradual, what sort of

> > reduction schedule is recommended, and why is doing it gradually

so

> > important?

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Tom

> >

>