Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 MY daughter usually had her casts sawed off, and she didn't really mind it at all. I know it sounds traumatic, but I think most babies don't mind. I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences. You're such a good mommy for reasearching all this before you deliver. Michele s wrote: I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 Hi My son had all but one of his casts sawn off. Our physio put it on her hand to show that it could not cut him. He did not like the noise of it but they cut down both sides and it was so much easier. I kept 3 of the casts. We soaked off once and I found it a complete nightmare. I made my mind up then that I wouldn't soak again. They also have proper cutting tools that they used the last time as he hated the noise of the saw so they actually cut them off there which took a bit longer but not too bad. Rach -- How to get cast off? I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 hi guys everytime my daughter removes her cast!!!! its really a big thing... evebn the doctor gets so nervous!!!lol she shouts and scream... whenever she hears it ...gush, i dont know what to do? s wrote: I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 My son has his casts cut off with a saw. This past Mon. they cut his toe!! So don't believe for a second that it is completely safe. It all depends on who is doing the removal and how experienced and careful they are doing it. Thankfully it was just a superficial cut but I was livid and needless to say that casting tech will NEVER touch my son again. 05/06/2006 BCF Rach wrote: Hi My son had all but one of his casts sawn off. Our physio put it on her hand to show that it could not cut him. He did not like the noise of it but they cut down both sides and it was so much easier. I kept 3 of the casts. We soaked off once and I found it a complete nightmare. I made my mind up then that I wouldn't soak again. They also have proper cutting tools that they used the last time as he hated the noise of the saw so they actually cut them off there which took a bit longer but not too bad. Rach -- How to get cast off? I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 HI . Lily had it done both ways. I think it was a bit more stressful for Lily to have her casts cut off--the noise and holding still and switching rooms and having interaction with both cast techs and doctor. I really didn't mind soaking them off. It's funny, I was just remembering with tenderness, visiting with Lily at 5:30 a.m. (because we had a bit of a drive to our appts) while her casts were soaking (and how much we both loved that weekly bath between casts!). After her bath, I just wrapped her legs in damp towels and put bread bags over them to keep them wet. But I wouldn't let cast removal methods be a deciding factor--the doctor is the most important thing, not the cast removal. My first ortho said that he didn't soak casts because he didn't trust that parents would do it in the right timeframe. Hmmm...that should be the red flad--the doc has to trust you for brace usage so... Let the doctor's reputation and adherence to Ponseti protocol (certified) be the deciding factor. It is very smart of you to think of all these things before the birth--lucky baby! > Hi > > My son had all but one of his casts sawn off. Our physio put it on her hand > to show that it could not cut him. He did not like the noise of it but they > cut down both sides and it was so much easier. I kept 3 of the casts. We > soaked off once and I found it a complete nightmare. I made my mind up then > that I wouldn't soak again. They also have proper cutting tools that they > used the last time as he hated the noise of the saw so they actually cut > them off there which took a bit longer but not too bad. > > Rach > > -- How to get cast off? > > I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking > off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels > it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have > researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if > there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 I have heard of this happening before but in our experience it was fine and I think like you said, it depends who does it - that saw should not even touch their skin. If they do it properly it should cut the plaster and that is that. Don't blame you for not letting them near your son again !!! Once we had a different tech do the casts and they slipped and it was because he padded them too much, they were huge much bigger than normal - and I didn't want him to do it again either......... i reckon they only get one chance!!!! -- How to get cast off? I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 's fiberglass casts had to be sawed off, and yes he was " cut " a few times - more like a burn actually. ee Mother of 3 Clubfooted Sons: - Bilateral Club Feet April 1998 Everett - Bilateral Club Feet September 2003 Garrison - Bilateral Club Feet March 2006 Visit us on the Web! www.WildlifeRevivalTaxidermy.com How to get cast off? I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 If you were soaking off casts every week for the next six months, ya, that might be a pain, but consider you'll only do it maybe five times, it's not such a pain. I rather enjoyed the water time with the babies doing this and giving a good bath. I would use paper towls instead of real towels so I could just throw them away at the clinic rather than bring home soggy towels which I often forgot to get after casting and would lose anyway...oops. ee Mother of 3 Clubfooted Sons: - Bilateral Club Feet April 1998 Everett - Bilateral Club Feet September 2003 Garrison - Bilateral Club Feet March 2006 Visit us on the Web! www.WildlifeRevivalTaxidermy.com How to get cast off? > > I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking > off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels > it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have > researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if > there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 Lilee had her casts sawed off, except for the one Dr. P put on her. The saw isnt so bad. They usually put a large tongue depressor under the area they are cutting so they make sure as to not hit the skin. Re: How to get cast off? MY daughter usually had her casts sawed off, and she didn't really mind it at all. I know it sounds traumatic, but I think most babies don't mind. I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences. You're such a good mommy for reasearching all this before you deliver. Michele s wrote: I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 hey, I'm one of the most zealous Ponseti moms here... and I prefer the saw. It's quick, safe and way less PITA than soaking sounds. My daughter cried a little while it was turned on but quite honestly, a little noise isn't something I worry about. And I worry about everything affecting my infants. I nurse and hold my babies, wear them, coddle them... but the saw... did not bother me in the least. She got one *burn* where the padding was a little too thin once. After that, the cast tech came to her castings to make sure she had enough padding. he felt so bad about that! Quite honestly, compared to the sores she got from her shoes (my user error)... that little burn from the saw was nothing. The saw use wouldn't make or break my decision about a doctor. I think if I was told I needed to soak them off I'd probably ask for the saw anyway. Just my .02 Kori At 09:33 PM 7/20/2006, you wrote: >I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs >are taking off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them >off because he feels it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of >the docs that I have researched cut them off. That makes me nervous >in itself. I don't know if there is a big difference or if that >should be a deciding factor? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 as far as noise... you can always cover their ears. That worked for us. I don't think she even cried once I figured that one out. At 11:52 PM 7/20/2006, you wrote: >Hi > >My son had all but one of his casts sawn off. Our physio put it on her hand >to show that it could not cut him. He did not like the noise of it but they >cut down both sides and it was so much easier. I kept 3 of the casts. We >soaked off once and I found it a complete nightmare. I made my mind up then >that I wouldn't soak again. They also have proper cutting tools that they >used the last time as he hated the noise of the saw so they actually cut >them off there which took a bit longer but not too bad. > >Rach > >-- How to get cast off? > >I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking >off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels >it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have >researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if >there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 lol Rach... did you just say " reckon " ? LMAO! sorry, but I just didn't expect that word coming all the way from the UK :~} miss ya too! Good to see you posting! Kori At 06:20 AM 7/21/2006, you wrote: >I have heard of this happening before but in our experience it was fine and >I think like you said, it depends who does it - that saw should not even >touch their skin. If they do it properly it should cut the plaster and that >is that. Don't blame you for not letting them near your son again !!! Once >we had a different tech do the casts and they slipped and it was because he >padded them too much, they were huge much bigger than normal - and I didn't >want him to do it again either......... i reckon they only get one >chance!!!! >-- How to get cast off? > >I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking >off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels >it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have >researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if >there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 ugh, Christee... think about that... they shouldn't even be able to get a tongue depressor inside the cast. You're talking about the casts the first doc did huh? well no wonder they could get that inside. those casts were horrible! a good tech will not burn/cut the baby with the saw. Marc (you've probably met him at Shriners) is the one who burned Darbi that one time and he was really upset that he did that. That's when he started following us to her castings and watching to make sure the padding was sufficient. I swear, he nearly cried he was so upset he hurt her. So not all cast techs are to blame, sometimes it's someone else's fault. At 07:03 AM 7/21/2006, you wrote: >Lilee had her casts sawed off, except for the one Dr. P put on her. >The saw isnt so bad. They usually put a large tongue depressor under >the area they are cutting so they make sure as to not hit the skin. > Re: How to get cast off? > >MY daughter usually had her casts sawed off, and she didn't really >mind it at all. I know it sounds traumatic, but I think most babies >don't mind. I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences. >You're such a good mommy for reasearching all this before you deliver. >Michele > > s ><<mailto:jennifersmatthews%40charter.net>jennifersmatthews@...> wrote: >I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs >are taking off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them >off because he feels it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of >the docs that I have researched cut them off. That makes me nervous >in itself. I don't know if there is a big difference or if that >should be a deciding factor? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 So, we're not the only one to have had a cut with the cast saw when done by the nurse/tech! My baby boy's first casts, at 17 days old, were a disaster. She cut right into the curl of his foot then when we went back a week later it was infected and he had to take antibiotics. The doctor was bent at her but keep his cool in our presence and told us to refuse if the tech starts to do it before he gets in the room. I still have a fear of that saw noise from when I was a child, even a 5 inch thin scar on my leg from those saws that can't cut skin. Bologna! Jodi > Hi > > My son had all but one of his casts sawn off. Our physio put it on her hand > to show that it could not cut him. He did not like the noise of it but they > cut down both sides and it was so much easier. I kept 3 of the casts. We > soaked off once and I found it a complete nightmare. I made my mind up then > that I wouldn't soak again. They also have proper cutting tools that they > used the last time as he hated the noise of the saw so they actually cut > them off there which took a bit longer but not too bad. > > Rach > > -- How to get cast off? > > I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking > off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels > it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have > researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if > there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 - I gotta say-especially after our first cast removal was a disaster-my poor 4 day old had to soak in water/solution for 3 hours!! that I much prefer the saw!!!! When we switched doctors, david's current doctor used the saw. It ended up that our first cast was applied with the wrong plaster-ie it wasn't the type that peeled off. Our doctor felt terrible, i felt sick as I watched my poor little man sit in a soaking tub for 3 hours, and poor david was a wrinkled noodle. We did soak off some of his other casts as we didnt switch doctors until casting number 5 and the soaking wasn't a terrible-just took a while. The saw- its over and done with in less than 10 minutes! hth, kathleen mom to david bcf fab 12/7 22 mo old and daughter edd 9/1/06 > > I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 Thank you for all the replys on how to get the cast off!!! So helpful! Do you usually get the choice with the doctor? How to get cast off? > > I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs are taking > off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because he feels > it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have > researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't know if > there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 , We were in the " soak the baby in the sink in the cast room " Iowa club. We called it " pickling the baby " due to the vinegar in the water. just loved to splash in the sink, though, because it was her only exposure to submersion in water. I think that each doctor probably has their preference depending on how their clinic is set up, the availability of assistants/cast techs, and the distance that you're traveling to get to your appointment. They usually want the cast off for the minimal amount of time before the next manipulation/casting session. I think that if you felt strongly one way or the other, the doctor certainly is going to let you use whatever removal method you prefer. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy! > > Hi > > > > My son had all but one of his casts sawn off. Our physio put it on > her hand > > to show that it could not cut him. He did not like the noise of it > but they > > cut down both sides and it was so much easier. I kept 3 of the > casts. We > > soaked off once and I found it a complete nightmare. I made my mind > up then > > that I wouldn't soak again. They also have proper cutting tools > that they > > used the last time as he hated the noise of the saw so they > actually cut > > them off there which took a bit longer but not too bad. > > > > Rach > > > > -- How to get cast off? > > > > I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs > are taking > > off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because > he feels > > it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have > > researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't > know if > > there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2006 Report Share Posted July 22, 2006 With our first doctor, cast techs cut them off - she did get burned a couple of times. Once we started seeing Dr. Ponseti - she joined the soaking in the sink club too for the first two appts. After that we made our appts day trips instead of overnights, to which (Dr. Ponseti's great nurse) had a great solution. She gave us the idea to soak washcloths and put them around her casts and then wrap them in plastic bags - it takes us about 3 1/2 hours to get there, and that was enough time to soften the plaster so they could take them off when we got there. Good solution for travelers... Jescie and Sierra 6-13-05 > > > > I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs > are taking off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off > because he feels it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the > docs that I have researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in > itself. I don't know if there is a big difference or if that should be > a deciding factor? > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 I was a soaker here. I really didn't mind it. I will say on the first one I almost gave up on the whole process. It took me about two and a half hours. By the third I was getting them off in less then 30 minutes. A toothbrush really worked for me to scrub and get those suckers off. I actually enjoyed the time we were able to give her a bath. I don't think she would have tolerated the saw treatment but I can't say for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 Mason's Doc always cut them off and Mason always slept through the whole thing. My husband and I always joked that it was because we were remodeling when I was pregnant, so the saw made him think he was in utero! Honestly though, the saw isn't much louder than a vaccum cleaner so I'm not sure that traumatic is a word I would use to describe the experience. I wouldn't let that be your deciding factor, it is more important to have a doctor that you can speak openly with and ask questions. You should find a doc that you can look straight in the eye and say " I really don't like it that you'll be cutting off my child's casts. Tell me why you prefer this method. " Either he'll give you an answer that you feel justifies it or you'll know it's the wrong doc. Mason's doc insists that all his children be put under for he tenotamy and that totally freaked me out. I told him that I was very unhappy about that and he gave me a list of reasons why he chooses to do it that way. By the time he was done with his explanation I was OK with it. Good luck on your doctor search! Kristy Mason 10/13/05 bilateral clubbed feet > > > > > > I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs > > are taking off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them > off > > because he feels it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the > > docs that I have researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in > > itself. I don't know if there is a big difference or if that should > be > > a deciding factor? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2006 Report Share Posted July 24, 2006 I used to hate the cast saw. Not because I was ever hurt by it, but because the vibration tickled so much, especially on the side of my foot. I remember some of the casts when I was older, 5 and 7 years old, they used to have to hold my leg down to keep it still while they cut the cast off. > > Hi > > > > My son had all but one of his casts sawn off. Our physio put it on > her hand > > to show that it could not cut him. He did not like the noise of it > but they > > cut down both sides and it was so much easier. I kept 3 of the > casts. We > > soaked off once and I found it a complete nightmare. I made my > mind up then > > that I wouldn't soak again. They also have proper cutting tools > that they > > used the last time as he hated the noise of the saw so they > actually cut > > them off there which took a bit longer but not too bad. > > > > Rach > > > > -- How to get cast off? > > > > I am curious and would love some feedback regarding how your docs > are taking > > off the cast. I know Dr. Ponsetti prefers to soak them off because > he feels > > it is less trauma to the baby.....but many of the docs that I have > > researched cut them off. That makes me nervous in itself. I don't > know if > > there is a big difference or if that should be a deciding factor? > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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