Guest guest Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 , As Moms it is our job to do what is absolutely the best thing for our kids even if it is a pain now and then. In this case the absolute best thing you can do for your son is to put that brace on him full time for the next 3 mos and then just decrease his time a few hours ever few months until he's down to nights and naps. Relapse is a reality even if you follow the 3 mos guidelines so why risk it? In the great scheme of things it is really only a blip on the map of their lives and yet for that little blip you get a lifetime of pain free feet. From my perspective that's a great bargain. We erred on the side of caution and wore them even longer on our daughter but alas she relapsed anyway. We have been through several relapses and each time, increased bracewear for a time came with the package. However, when she's walking down that aisle in her little high heels to begin a new phase of her life I know I'll have done all I can to see that it is the best it can be. Hang in there. Three mos just flies by. Chris Mom to , bilateral cf New Concerned Mom My son has a left clubfoot and just came out of his last cast after a tenotomy. His foot looks great! Dr. Frick said that he needed to wear his brace for only 12 hours a day and I am a little conerened. I was so glad to hear this, but I do not want a relapse. After reading all of Dr. Ponseti's information and talking with other parents, I think he may need to wear them all of the time for the first three months. Just wondering if any of you have children who only wore the brace part time right after the tenotomy and if so, what kind of results did you get. As much as I would love only 12 hours, my motherly instinct tells me to have him wear the brace all the time right now. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks, e-mail: acarrol@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2006 Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 , How old is your son? My daughter, Kelsey, also has a left clubfoot and did not receive her Ponseti method treatment until beginning at 10 months old. She began her 3 months full time in the FAB at 13 months and definitely had to wear it for the full three months at the full 23/7. Both my doctor and Dr. Ponseti were adamant about that point. I cannot imaging what Dr. Frick's reasoning would be for only 12 hours a day but I have never heard this before and I have been around this board for 2 years now. The initial 3 months in the FAB are really the most critical and you cannot compromise that. Please email or call Dr. Ponseti and I am sure that he will tell you the same thing. I know with an older child, it was not easy at first, negotiating this brace full time but Kelsey quickly adjusted and did great. Jenni anna29544 wrote: My son has a left clubfoot and just came out of his last cast after a tenotomy. His foot looks great! Dr. Frick said that he needed to wear his brace for only 12 hours a day and I am a little conerened. I was so glad to hear this, but I do not want a relapse. After reading all of Dr. Ponseti's information and talking with other parents, I think he may need to wear them all of the time for the first three months. Just wondering if any of you have children who only wore the brace part time right after the tenotomy and if so, what kind of results did you get. As much as I would love only 12 hours, my motherly instinct tells me to have him wear the brace all the time right now. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks, e-mail: acarrol@... Jenni- Mom to (10/31/01) and Kelsey (11/7/03)happy girl in FAB nights only for left clubfoot. --------------------------------- How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2006 Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 Definately wear them full time! New Concerned Mom My son has a left clubfoot and just came out of his last cast after a tenotomy. His foot looks great! Dr. Frick said that he needed to wear his brace for only 12 hours a day and I am a little conerened. I was so glad to hear this, but I do not want a relapse. After reading all of Dr. Ponseti's information and talking with other parents, I think he may need to wear them all of the time for the first three months. Just wondering if any of you have children who only wore the brace part time right after the tenotomy and if so, what kind of results did you get. As much as I would love only 12 hours, my motherly instinct tells me to have him wear the brace all the time right now. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks, e-mail: acarrol@... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 6/30/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2006 Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 Hi , I replied very briefly earlier but now I have a minute, I just want to really encourage you to go with longer brace wear. I don't know why Frick says 12 is enough, he's supposed to be one of the better docs from my understanding but history and experience tells us 12 is NOT enough. I know it seems inconvienient to have the brace on, and I also understand it's hard on a Momma to see that piece of hardware attached to their child but the long term benifits far out weigh the short term hassell. Sometimes I just want to chunk the things - yes, things, plural. I have two kids wearing the brace right now. I've noticed though that out in public really very few people even notice it, and those that do are positive about it. The babies adjust very quickly to it, so it becomes the child's " Normal " ...if they wear it all the time they end up just not knowing any better and figure it's just life and go with the flow. I honestly think it's harder on us mom's than the children. But like I said, the benifits are there - and there are numerous studies to prove that the FAB is the single ingredient that makes the correction process work. Rates of relapse are much higher in children who do not wear the brace. Oh sure there are a few odd cases wehre the parents do everything right and still the child has a relapse, but those cases are pretty rare. More commonly relapse is due to neglecting the FAB wear. Yesterday my husband and I decided to go out on the boat a while adn being so hot, asked my sister in law to baby sit Garrison who is 3 months old. Can you believe she put him in a pool with his FAB on???!!!??? Rrrggg! I was so mad! His shoes were soaking wet and he ended up sleeping barefooted last night so they could dry. He was sure happy about that, but I am just so ticked off. Today he's not getting his break from them (he's allowed 2 hours) and I'll hesitate again even tomorrow from so many hours out of it. I don't know where her brain was at. The thing is, there is just no telling which child is more prone to relapse. It doesn't have to do with the severity at birth. You just don't know, so err on the side of caution and wear the dang thing; gradually the hours do reduce. We take the boys anywhere and everywhere in their brace, including out on the boat, etc., when the weather's not too hot for the baby to tolerate well. You know there was nothing you did to " cause " the club feet, I hope you don't feel guilty or embarassed about the child's condition. It's just life, and it's OK. Be proud you are doing the very, very best thing by using the FAB full time. Some day your baby will thank you Wishing you the best, ee Mother of 3 Clubfooted Sons: - Bilateral Club Feet April 1998 Everett - Bilateral Club Feet September 2003 Garrison - Bilateral Club Feet March 2006 New Concerned Mom My son has a left clubfoot and just came out of his last cast after a tenotomy. His foot looks great! Dr. Frick said that he needed to wear his brace for only 12 hours a day and I am a little conerened. I was so glad to hear this, but I do not want a relapse. After reading all of Dr. Ponseti's information and talking with other parents, I think he may need to wear them all of the time for the first three months. Just wondering if any of you have children who only wore the brace part time right after the tenotomy and if so, what kind of results did you get. As much as I would love only 12 hours, my motherly instinct tells me to have him wear the brace all the time right now. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks, e-mail: acarrol@... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 6/30/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2006 Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 Hi , You are wise to question this advice. The Ponseti protocol is for the child to wear the brace 23/7 for three months after the last casting, then decrease it gradually. My with bcf (8 month old now) is currently in the FAB 18/7 against the recommendation of our local ortho, who wanted us to decrease it to nights only (12 hours) after the 23/7 wear. I am standing firm, though, and will decrease the hours gradually. Doctors are there to consult with us, but we are truly the ultimate decision makers for our children's medical care. We (and our children) are the ones who have to live with the results long-term, long after these doctors are out of our lives. I do like our local ortho and we will continue with him to check for relapses, but I will decide what hours wears the brace based on Dr. Ponseti's advice. You can always email him with pictures of your baby's feet and ask what schedule he recommends for the brace. It sounds crazy, but he responds to emails even from people who are not his patients. He is a wonderful man who just wants the best for clubfoot babies. Take care, Carol New Concerned Mom My son has a left clubfoot and just came out of his last cast after a tenotomy. His foot looks great! Dr. Frick said that he needed to wear his brace for only 12 hours a day and I am a little conerened. I was so glad to hear this, but I do not want a relapse. After reading all of Dr. Ponseti's information and talking with other parents, I think he may need to wear them all of the time for the first three months. Just wondering if any of you have children who only wore the brace part time right after the tenotomy and if so, what kind of results did you get. As much as I would love only 12 hours, my motherly instinct tells me to have him wear the brace all the time right now. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks, e-mail: acarrol@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2006 Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 Hi . I totaly agree with the others. Wear the brace full-time. Congratulations for your confidence in your motherly instincts. My only caveat is that the definition of f-t can very slightly. Our daughter is a bit older (15 months--I never caught the age of your son) and sees Dr. Ponseti. Following casting, she went in to the brace for 2 months 22/7 in May. We went on a beach vacation one month into the brace and Dr. Ponseti said Lily could go 20/7 for the week we were on vacation. Then at 2 months of brace wear, I understand Lily will go to 20/7 for a period of time. So we are slightly different than the other cases mentioned here. I only say this because Dr. Ponseti apparently varies brace wear slightly depending on the case. But clearly 12 hours is outside the acceptable realm. It is a good idea to send Dr. Ponseti an e-mail-- he will respond with the " right " advice. Dr. Ponseti is a godsend. Carol is right, too. Doctors want well for our children but who wants the best for them? We do, of course. The studies say that aggressive bracing is the best preventative for relapse, so your son is on the right track with conservative bracing. Best of luck to you. Your son is lucky to have you! > > Hi , > > You are wise to question this advice. The Ponseti protocol is for the child to wear the brace 23/7 for three months after the last casting, then decrease it gradually. My with bcf (8 month old now) is currently in the FAB 18/7 against the recommendation of our local ortho, who wanted us to decrease it to nights only (12 hours) after the 23/7 wear. I am standing firm, though, and will decrease the hours gradually. > > Doctors are there to consult with us, but we are truly the ultimate decision makers for our children's medical care. We (and our children) are the ones who have to live with the results long-term, long after these doctors are out of our lives. I do like our local ortho and we will continue with him to check for relapses, but I will decide what hours wears the brace based on Dr. Ponseti's advice. You can always email him with pictures of your baby's feet and ask what schedule he recommends for the brace. It sounds crazy, but he responds to emails even from people who are not his patients. He is a wonderful man who just wants the best for clubfoot babies. Take care, > > Carol > New Concerned Mom > > > My son has a left clubfoot and just came out of his last cast after a > tenotomy. His foot looks great! Dr. Frick said that he needed to wear > his brace for only 12 hours a day and I am a little > conerened. I was so glad to hear this, but I do not want a relapse. > After reading all of Dr. Ponseti's information and talking with other > parents, I think he may need to wear them all of the time for the > first three months. Just wondering if any of you have children who > only wore the brace part time right after the tenotomy and if so, what > kind of results did you get. As much as I would love only 12 hours, my > motherly instinct tells me to have him wear the brace all the time > right now. Does anyone have any advice? > > Thanks, > > e-mail: acarrol@... > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 Hi . I am a little concerned about Dr. Frick's decision. It is proper Ponseti protocol to do 23/7 after the tenotomy for at least 3 months. I think you should follow your mommy instinct and go with the 23/7 anyway. More hours in the brace will certainly do more good, less harm and less chance of relapse. Another way to look at it is, you have come this far with your little one, you surely wouldn't want a relapse and have to start all over at this point. If you follow the proper bracing protocol, there is less likely chance of relapse. The 3 months goes by rather quickly (although doesn't seem like it at the time). Hang in there. I would also contact Dr. Ponseti and get his opinion. HTH. anna29544 wrote: My son has a left clubfoot and just came out of his last cast after a tenotomy. His foot looks great! Dr. Frick said that he needed to wear his brace for only 12 hours a day and I am a little conerened. I was so glad to hear this, but I do not want a relapse. After reading all of Dr. Ponseti's information and talking with other parents, I think he may need to wear them all of the time for the first three months. Just wondering if any of you have children who only wore the brace part time right after the tenotomy and if so, what kind of results did you get. As much as I would love only 12 hours, my motherly instinct tells me to have him wear the brace all the time right now. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks, e-mail: acarrol@... --------------------------------- Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs.Try it free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 You've received lots of great feedback - I just want to reiterate how important it is to keep your little one in the DBB for 23/7 the first three months. (I'm also surprised Dr. Frick would recommend 12 hours - I've always heard such good things about him) And if I remember correctly, the next increment is typically 16 hours (which is *still* more than the 12 that Dr. Frick is " okay-ing " ). Your gut and more than likely extensive research have served you well, go with the 23/7 for sure. Like others have said, it sure does sound good to hear 12 hours, but you'll kick yourself if your child started to relapse. Really, 23/7 will be over before you know it and 16 hours will feel like HEAVEN - it really will. By the time you can drop it down to 12 then 10 you'll hardly believe you're there already - truly! Hugs, Holly Zachary 7/27/02 Unilateral Right C/F Treated by Dr. Ponseti DBB Nights Only > My son has a left clubfoot and just came out of his last cast after a > tenotomy. His foot looks great! Dr. Frick said that he needed to wear > his brace for only 12 hours a day and I am a little > conerened. I was so glad to hear this, but I do not want a relapse. > After reading all of Dr. Ponseti's information and talking with other > parents, I think he may need to wear them all of the time for the > first three months. Just wondering if any of you have children who > only wore the brace part time right after the tenotomy and if so, what > kind of results did you get. As much as I would love only 12 hours, my > motherly instinct tells me to have him wear the brace all the time > right now. Does anyone have any advice? > > Thanks, > > e-mail: acarrol@... > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs.Try it free. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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