RE: RE: ATTT Questions....

[Guest guest]

, Thank you for that information. We are early on in the process but I

have wondered about the ATTT surgery. I wish you and all the best.

('s middle name is .)

Carol and

ATTT Questions....

>

>

> Well it looks like is going to be needing the ATTT. We

have

> an appt with Dr. Morcuende 4/10 to set everthing up.

> I have a few silly questions that I can't seem to find the

answers

> to anywhere.

>

> Wheelchair or stroller? Which is better when you are going to

be

> out and about?

> If wheelchair.... does insurance cover one (rental, purchace?)

>

> Do you get a temp. handicapped parking placard?

>

> That is all I can think of right now.... if anyone has any other

> helpful advice I'd love to hear it!

>

>

> in Iowa, mommy to 11/12/01 bilateral clubfoot

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, they have one thing in common - is a very 'determined' 2! LOL

The Ortho told us she wouldn't want to put weight on her feet for several

weeks and within 24 hours she was standing in her crib and beating her feet

against the bars. Ummmm... didn't he remember he was dealing with .

ROFL!

Honestly whatever you can get by with for the 6 weeks will work. We're

getting the 'four week' cast change tomorrow and I can't tell you how much

I'm looking forward to it. When you think of how many casts we've already

been through this should be a pip but oh how knowing it will most likely end

really makes these last few weeks unbearable at times! This too shall

end... I can do all things through Christ... Two more weeks to go in a

lifetime is nothing... It will all be worth it when she's walking down that

aisle someday... Yep, I'm a pro at positive self talk. LOL LOL Hang in

there!

Chris

ATTT Questions....

>

>

> Well it looks like is going to be needing the ATTT. We

have

> an appt with Dr. Morcuende 4/10 to set everthing up.

> I have a few silly questions that I can't seem to find the answers

> to anywhere.

>

> Wheelchair or stroller? Which is better when you are going to be

> out and about?

> If wheelchair.... does insurance cover one (rental, purchace?)

>

> Do you get a temp. handicapped parking placard?

>

> That is all I can think of right now.... if anyone has any other

> helpful advice I'd love to hear it!

>

>

> in Iowa, mommy to 11/12/01 bilateral clubfoot

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Our daughter Emma had the ATTT done by Dr. Morcuende in Nov 2003. Dr.

Morcuende is a super doctor as well a very good person.

The anaesthesia was looked after by an experienced anaesthesiologist not a

resident though many resident doctors were in the room. They also provided

alot of the post-op care which consisted mainly of pain management and

making sure there wasn't excess swelling. During the surgery an epidural is

used to ensure that the patient isn't in too much pain when they wake up.

For us, one of the best things about having Emma operated in Iowa was that I

was permitted to hold her while they put her under.

Dan

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Jake had both of his ATTT surgeries done at the University of Iowa, with Dr.

Dietz (he and Dr. Morcuende are in the same office).

We had good luck both times in terms of anesthesia, although Jake had different

postop anesthesia with both surgeries. He was under general anesthesia both

times of course, and they had me go back with him to hold him while they put him

out (they used gas & a mask to put him out, and then put in the IV and intubated

him after that). That was very very hard for me, especially the second time

since I knew what to expect!! Jake fights the anesthesia and cries, which would

be difficult for any mom to see.

Anyways...depending on your anesthesiologist, there are a couple of options for

post-surgery pain. With Jake's first surgery, he had a caudal block, which is

like an epidural but they put it lower in the spine. They were unable to get

the entire block in, I guess, but Jake had a PCA pump of morphine (it goes

through the IV and you get a button to push for pain meds). The second time he

had a different anesthesiologist, who did a more localized block. He numbed a

couple of nerves right in Jake's leg which provided GREAT pain relief!! Jake

did a lot better after his second surgery; he was able to eat supper (his

surgery was around lunchtime) and was more awake too. Unfortunately the block

wore off at about 2am the night after surgery. Jake had a PCA of morphine again

and as that time got closer I did start pushing the button frequently, but it

wasn't enough to relieve his pain. The nurses then gave him oral pain meds and

that worked very well for him. Incidentally it'

s the surgeon who writes the postop pain med orders, both PCA and oral, not the

anesthesiologist. The resident who was in on Jake's surgery did warn me about

the block wearing off (he even predicted 2am!!) and I was very thankful for

that.

I can't say enough good things about the nursing staff at the University- they

were awesome, so helpful and they do great with children. Both times we had

excellent care. The University's new Children's Hospital is open too, and it

is soooo nice!!

The residents can be hit-or-miss as far as knowledge. In general, when your

child has an appointment, the resident will visit with you first and assess your

child, and then the actual doctor will come in and do the same. I get kind of

annoyed with them because they don't always listen to me. They don't realize

I'm a nurse and I have decent assessment skills myself, not to mention all of

the medical procedures etc Jake has had already. I distinctly remember one

check up Jake had shortly after getting out of his spica cast. He was still

walking bow-legged from the positioning in the spica, and I explained that to

the resident, but then he asked the surgeon about Jake's gait and why he was so

poor right in front of me! Duh. Others that we've had (including the one for

Jake's second surgery) have been very good. I think it depends where they are

in their orthopedic rotation. Most of them have been ok. The residents do more

rounds on the kids after surgery too; he visit

ed Jake shortly after we got back to the room after surgery and also the

following morning before we went home. Dr. Dietz spoke with us in the family

waiting area while Jake was in the recovery room, but I don't recall him being

able to see Jake again during his stay (the resident said he had an emergency

with another patient or something). Keep in mind, though, that the residents

are always supervised by a regular doctor, so he would have had to call the

doctor that morning to report on how Jake was doing. I did ask Dr. Dietz if he

is present for the entireity of Jake's surgery or if he leaves it to the

resident, and he said that yes he is always present for his patients' surgeries,

and the ATTT generally is a two-surgeon procedure to perform so regardless he'd

be there for the entire procedure.

Ummm.....I can't think of anything else, and I've rambled on quite a bit....let

me know if you have more questions.

Kassia

3/22/01 (Lt clubfoot, ATTT #2 Oct 2005)

and 11/22/02