Re: Alfa Flex brace versus Dennis Brown bar

[Guest guest]

Have you looked into the Ponseti/ Brace? From what I've seen posted

here, it's lighter than the DBB and much easier on the feet.

http://www.mdorthopaedics.com/pages/1/index.htm

joycesinil wrote:

My 5-week old son, Dylan, will be done with his casts in 3 weeks. He

had four weekly casts and is now on the post-tenotomy three week cast.

Hurray. My dr was at a Ponseti conference and is considering the

Semeda Alfa-Flex brace (http://www.semeda.de/Web/ponseti_en.htm)

instead of what he normally recommends, the Dennis Brown brace. He has

no experience with the Semeda brace but says we can try it if we want

to. Thanks to whomever posted the link to the Semeda site, I was

actually able to pull out a print out of the brace at the end of our

last dr visit :-). One concern I have about the shoes for the Alfa-

Flex is that they look like they use velcro and I'm concerned about

those staying tight and closed. Has anyone used the Alfa-Flex brace

and can comment on it? I'm wondering if we should just go with the

Dennis Brown bar because it's a known option although it's a bit heavy

from what I've read.

Joyce

The Netherlands

Dylan, born 14-Apr-06 with rcf

[Guest guest]

I can speak from experience that the P/M brace is lighter than the DBB and

easier to put on for parents. We started with the DBB and it was so heavy that

couldn't pick up her feet without a lot of effort.

Carol

Re: Alfa Flex brace versus Dennis Brown bar

Have you looked into the Ponseti/ Brace? From what I've seen posted

here, it's lighter than the DBB and much easier on the feet.

http://www.mdorthopaedics.com/pages/1/index.htm<http://www.mdorthopaedicscom/pag\

es/1/index.htm>

joycesinil > wrote:

My 5-week old son, Dylan, will be done with his casts in 3 weeks. He

had four weekly casts and is now on the post-tenotomy three week cast.

Hurray. My dr was at a Ponseti conference and is considering the

Semeda Alfa-Flex brace

(http://www.semeda.de/Web/ponseti_en.htm)<http://www.semeda.de/Web/ponseti_en.ht\

m)>

instead of what he normally recommends, the Dennis Brown brace. He has

no experience with the Semeda brace but says we can try it if we want

to. Thanks to whomever posted the link to the Semeda site, I was

actually able to pull out a print out of the brace at the end of our

last dr visit :-). One concern I have about the shoes for the Alfa-

Flex is that they look like they use velcro and I'm concerned about

those staying tight and closed. Has anyone used the Alfa-Flex brace

and can comment on it? I'm wondering if we should just go with the

Dennis Brown bar because it's a known option although it's a bit heavy

from what I've read.

Joyce

The Netherlands

Dylan, born 14-Apr-06 with rcf

[Guest guest]

Joyce,

You can probably email Dr. Ponseti and ask him if he knows how many

European doctors are using this brace. I have heard of it before,

but I don't know who is using it and what their problems (if any)

are with it.

Maybe the STEPS clubfoot forum has some people who are using it?!

>

> My 5-week old son, Dylan, will be done with his casts in 3 weeks.

He

> had four weekly casts and is now on the post-tenotomy three week

cast.

> Hurray. My dr was at a Ponseti conference and is considering the

> Semeda Alfa-Flex brace (http://www.semeda.de/Web/ponseti_en.htm)

> instead of what he normally recommends, the Dennis Brown brace. He

has

> no experience with the Semeda brace but says we can try it if we

want

> to. Thanks to whomever posted the link to the Semeda site, I was

> actually able to pull out a print out of the brace at the end of

our

> last dr visit :-). One concern I have about the shoes for the Alfa-

> Flex is that they look like they use velcro and I'm concerned

about

> those staying tight and closed. Has anyone used the Alfa-Flex

brace

> and can comment on it? I'm wondering if we should just go with the

> Dennis Brown bar because it's a known option although it's a bit

heavy

> from what I've read.

>

> Joyce

> The Netherlands

> Dylan, born 14-Apr-06 with rcf

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks all for the feedback. I don't know that the P/M brace is

available here but I'll ask about it. Thanks also for the suggestion

to ask Dr. Ponseti or STEPS if he has any information on it.

Joyce

> >

> > My 5-week old son, Dylan, will be done with his casts in 3

weeks.

> He

> > had four weekly casts and is now on the post-tenotomy three week

> cast.

> > Hurray. My dr was at a Ponseti conference and is considering the

> > Semeda Alfa-Flex brace (http://www.semeda.de/Web/ponseti_en.htm)

> > instead of what he normally recommends, the Dennis Brown brace.

He

> has

> > no experience with the Semeda brace but says we can try it if we

> want

> > to. Thanks to whomever posted the link to the Semeda site, I was

> > actually able to pull out a print out of the brace at the end of

> our

> > last dr visit :-). One concern I have about the shoes for the

Alfa-

> > Flex is that they look like they use velcro and I'm concerned

> about

> > those staying tight and closed. Has anyone used the Alfa-Flex

> brace

> > and can comment on it? I'm wondering if we should just go with

the

> > Dennis Brown bar because it's a known option although it's a bit

> heavy

> > from what I've read.

> >

> > Joyce

> > The Netherlands

> > Dylan, born 14-Apr-06 with rcf

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Joyce,

Dr. Dobbs was consulting with the designer of this brace so I know a

tiny bit about it from talking with him. Basically, he said it is

just one more alternative that is not working any better or worse than

most of the others out there. The velcro design is working as far as

keeping the foot in position, but the shoes are still causing sores

and blisters similarly to most of the other options. Also, the velcro

can be an issue for older children, some of whom will quickly learn

that they can take it off so they will. I seem to recall someone

posting not too long ago about this, just search the archives for

" semeda " and I think you'll come up with a few other conversations

about this - the first time I remember hearing about it was probably

nearly a year ago.

Hope this helps,

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

> >

> > My 5-week old son, Dylan, will be done with his casts in 3 weeks.

> He

> > had four weekly casts and is now on the post-tenotomy three week

> cast.

> > Hurray. My dr was at a Ponseti conference and is considering the

> > Semeda Alfa-Flex brace (http://www.semeda.de/Web/ponseti_en.htm)

> > instead of what he normally recommends, the Dennis Brown brace. He

> has

> > no experience with the Semeda brace but says we can try it if we

> want

> > to. Thanks to whomever posted the link to the Semeda site, I was

> > actually able to pull out a print out of the brace at the end of

> our

> > last dr visit :-). One concern I have about the shoes for the Alfa-

> > Flex is that they look like they use velcro and I'm concerned

> about

> > those staying tight and closed. Has anyone used the Alfa-Flex

> brace

> > and can comment on it? I'm wondering if we should just go with the

> > Dennis Brown bar because it's a known option although it's a bit

> heavy

> > from what I've read.

> >

> > Joyce

> > The Netherlands

> > Dylan, born 14-Apr-06 with rcf

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi again Joyce,

I forgot in my previous message that I was going to say that the P/M

brace does seem to be the lightest brace and definitely the best flat

surface for the older child who is walking in the brace. Also, the

P/M is probably the least likely to cause sores.

You can order the P/M's directly from I believe, even

overseas. All the info is on the website: http://www.mdorthopaedics.com/

Also, I believe you can order them from Stella at C-Pro Direct.

http://www.c-prodirect.co.uk/

> > >

> > > My 5-week old son, Dylan, will be done with his casts in 3

> weeks.

> > He

> > > had four weekly casts and is now on the post-tenotomy three week

> > cast.

> > > Hurray. My dr was at a Ponseti conference and is considering the

> > > Semeda Alfa-Flex brace (http://www.semeda.de/Web/ponseti_en.htm)

> > > instead of what he normally recommends, the Dennis Brown brace.

> He

> > has

> > > no experience with the Semeda brace but says we can try it if we

> > want

> > > to. Thanks to whomever posted the link to the Semeda site, I was

> > > actually able to pull out a print out of the brace at the end of

> > our

> > > last dr visit :-). One concern I have about the shoes for the

> Alfa-

> > > Flex is that they look like they use velcro and I'm concerned

> > about

> > > those staying tight and closed. Has anyone used the Alfa-Flex

> > brace

> > > and can comment on it? I'm wondering if we should just go with

> the

> > > Dennis Brown bar because it's a known option although it's a bit

> > heavy

> > > from what I've read.

> > >

> > > Joyce

> > > The Netherlands

> > > Dylan, born 14-Apr-06 with rcf

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Joyce,

I have the same concerns as you about this brace. now, with an

infant the velcro won't be undone by the child but

eventually... well... he'll likely start to undo them himself. I

also have concerns about the velcro straps holding place tight enough

but since I haven't used them I cannot say one way or the other if

this is problematic. Additionally, the material is not leather. This

worries me, as leather would mold better to baby's foot whereas vinyl

(I think it's vinyl) is much less forgiving. I have heard of some

sores/rubbing with these but since very few people have used

them... I cannot say for sure how they work. My other concern is

similar to one thing I don't like about the Markell shoes and bars,

and that is that the bar leaves the shoes elevated so that while

standing, some tipping action occurs. That is one great thing about

the PM FAB, it's so nice and flat that I'm sure standing is

simplified for the young ones, and when they get older it makes for a

nice walking brace.

I think there are parents on the talipesuk yahoo group who are using

this FAB, you may want to check in there and ask your questions.

The PM shoes are absolutely available in Europe. This company is the

exclusive distributor for Europe and is owned by our own amazing

Stella :~} I believe she even has stock which could be shipped to

you right away (as long as Dylan's feet are *stock* lol). Even so, I

know they have an accelerated shipping/ordering program so that all

you over there can get your shoes as soon as possible from

Iowa. http://www.c-prodirect.co.uk/

hope this helps,

Kori

At 12:59 PM 5/18/2006, you wrote:

>My 5-week old son, Dylan, will be done with his casts in 3 weeks. He

>had four weekly casts and is now on the post-tenotomy three week cast.

>Hurray. My dr was at a Ponseti conference and is considering the

>Semeda Alfa-Flex brace (http://www.semeda.de/Web/ponseti_en.htm)

>instead of what he normally recommends, the Dennis Brown brace. He has

>no experience with the Semeda brace but says we can try it if we want

>to. Thanks to whomever posted the link to the Semeda site, I was

>actually able to pull out a print out of the brace at the end of our

>last dr visit :-). One concern I have about the shoes for the Alfa-

>Flex is that they look like they use velcro and I'm concerned about

>those staying tight and closed. Has anyone used the Alfa-Flex brace

>and can comment on it? I'm wondering if we should just go with the

>Dennis Brown bar because it's a known option although it's a bit heavy

>from what I've read.

>

>Joyce

>The Netherlands

>Dylan, born 14-Apr-06 with rcf

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Joyce,

I think the Alfa-Flex brace is what's used as standard

with the Ponseti method in Germany, even by Ponseti

certified doctors as far as I know, so I would think

that it's ok to use. If you like I can post on the

German clubfoot site for you and ask what people think

about it, just let me know. (I'm German but live in

the UK.)

Cheers,

with (3.5y)

and Alister (3.5y, right CF, Ponseti method, UK)

--- joycesinil wrote:

> Thanks all for the feedback. I don't know that the

> P/M brace is

> available here but I'll ask about it. Thanks also

> for the suggestion

> to ask Dr. Ponseti or STEPS if he has any

> information on it.

>

> Joyce

>

> > >

> > > My 5-week old son, Dylan, will be done with his

> casts in 3

> weeks.

> > He

> > > had four weekly casts and is now on the

> post-tenotomy three week

> > cast.

> > > Hurray. My dr was at a Ponseti conference and is

> considering the

> > > Semeda Alfa-Flex brace

> (http://www.semeda.de/Web/ponseti_en.htm)

> > > instead of what he normally recommends, the

> Dennis Brown brace.

> He

> > has

> > > no experience with the Semeda brace but says we

> can try it if we

> > want

> > > to. Thanks to whomever posted the link to the

> Semeda site, I was

> > > actually able to pull out a print out of the

> brace at the end of

> > our

> > > last dr visit :-). One concern I have about the

> shoes for the

> Alfa-

> > > Flex is that they look like they use velcro and

> I'm concerned

> > about

> > > those staying tight and closed. Has anyone used

> the Alfa-Flex

> > brace

> > > and can comment on it? I'm wondering if we

> should just go with

> the

> > > Dennis Brown bar because it's a known option

> although it's a bit

> > heavy

> > > from what I've read.

> > >

> > > Joyce

> > > The Netherlands

> > > Dylan, born 14-Apr-06 with rcf

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Joyce,

the ALFA-Flex-Brace is ok! They have some problems with blisters,

especially in the older style sandals, but they are working on it.

My daughter wears the Brace since 14 months and had no problems

whatsoever.

The material is very soft leather and definitely NOT vinyl, at the

heel there is an insert of some type of cloth (cotton, I guess) with

some " upholstery " beneath it. The middle strap is always with

buckles and holes, so there is noch problem with the heel staying

down. Pia has got velcro-straps at her shoes (the other two straps),

but there are shoes available (maybe all the newer shoes have this)

where you have all the straps with buckles. The nice thing is, that

you can disconnect the shoes from the brace.

I think semeda will have shoes with an insert soon (my guess is

something like in the P/M's). They designed the brace together with

Dr. Sinclair, who introduced the Ponseti-Method to Germany and

worked some years in the US before. He is very strict with the

method and would never use a brace that doesn't fulfill the criteria

for the treatment!

So don't worry... Dylan will be fine with the brace!

Maybe you would like to check out my new homepage www.ponseti-

fuesse.de - there are some pictures of the brace.

mom of Pia (bcf, ALFA-Flex-Brace nights and naps)

>

> My 5-week old son, Dylan, will be done with his casts in 3 weeks.

He

> had four weekly casts and is now on the post-tenotomy three week

cast.

> Hurray. My dr was at a Ponseti conference and is considering the

> Semeda Alfa-Flex brace (http://www.semeda.de/Web/ponseti_en.htm)

> instead of what he normally recommends, the Dennis Brown brace. He

has

> no experience with the Semeda brace but says we can try it if we

want

> to. Thanks to whomever posted the link to the Semeda site, I was

> actually able to pull out a print out of the brace at the end of

our

> last dr visit :-). One concern I have about the shoes for the Alfa-

> Flex is that they look like they use velcro and I'm concerned

about

> those staying tight and closed. Has anyone used the Alfa-Flex

brace

> and can comment on it? I'm wondering if we should just go with the

> Dennis Brown bar because it's a known option although it's a bit

heavy

> from what I've read.

>

> Joyce

> The Netherlands

> Dylan, born 14-Apr-06 with rcf

>