Re: help first cast today at 13 days old my boy is very upset any suggestions

[Guest guest]

Hi there!

Can you tell us a little about the cast and the doctor you're taking

your son to? Is it a long leg cast (goes all the way up his thigh)?

Did the doctor or his assistants tell you how to check for circulation

in the toes? Press on the toes, they should turn white and then the

color should return quickly, this shows that circulation is good. You

should also try propping his casted leg/legs up on a rolled up blanket

or small pillow. This will help if he is just upset by the weight of

the cast.

Does the doctor say he is using the Ponseti method? Is he or she on

the list of qualified Ponseti Method physicians? You can find the

list here:

http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medicaldepartments/orthopaedics/clubfeet/phys\

icians.html

There is another site with lots of helpful information for parents who

are new to this here:

http://members.tripod.com/ponseti_links-ivil/index.html

and a list of questions to help you determine if the doctor is

practicing the method correctly:

http://members.tripod.com/ponseti_links-ivil/id13.html

It is not uncommon for some babies to be a little fussy the first day

or so after beginning the casting process and it is okay to give them

a little infant tylenol with your doctor's approval. If you feel like

he is in real pain though, not just fussy, you may want to call your

doctor. This can be a sign of a doctor manipulating a foot

incorrectly or a cast that is too tight or pinching. Sometimes even

the best of doctors have gotten a spot on the cast that is too tight

and they could have to re-cast. The important thing is that you

listen to your son, he will tell you if he is just frustrated, cranky

or truly in pain.

Hope this helps,

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