Re: Abbey's brace

[Guest guest]

Kate,

If you are still having trouble getting her foot to stay in the shoe

there are a couple things to consider,

1) that the shoes from Markell with the big hole in the back are not

all they are cracked up to be and you might want to just try the

regular ones. The regular Markells have a nice padded heel counter

which helps keep the heel seated deeply in the shoe - this is not a

feature of the holed version of the shoes. The better alternative is

to get the full back shoes and put a small (like the size of your

pinky) hole near the bottom of the heel, kind of off to one side, as a

peek hole that you can look in to see that her heels are down.

2) That there is still something incorrect in her brace set up, a too

short bar, shoes too big, shoes too small, too wide...you get the

idea. If you want to let us help you troubleshoot we can certainly do

that, we'll just need lots of feedback from you.

3) That her foot is not fully corrected. I know you said it is nice

and flexible, but being flexible and fully corrected can be two

different things. Have you mentioned who Abbey's doctor is and I just

missed it? Do you know if he is on the Qualified Physician's list?

If you want to let us know who the doc is we can probably give you

feedback and you may hear from others what their experience has been.

4) And finally, that her foot may just be one that is better suited

for a different brace. Do you know if she is atypical? If so, she is

probably a good candidate for the Ponseti/ shoes. Or even if

not, there are just some kids who do better in these soft leather,

sandal type shoes. You can purchase these shoes directly from

in Iowa. The shoes also are covered under some insurance

although you have to submit the claim yourself. Their website is

http://www.mdorthopaedics.com/

As of right now, they take a foam impression of the foot to determine

which size and width shoe the child needs. They would send you the

impression kit, you send it back, and then they send you the shoes.

They are a little expensive, $350 now, but like I said, they may be

covered by your insurance (at least partially).

Let me/us know if any of this helps, and we can continue to help you

figure this thing out so that Abbey is not having so much trouble with

the brace.

Best wishes,

>

> Some of you have asked about her shoes so here it goes:

> They are white leather with buckle and laces. They do have the hole

> in the back heel to check her heel, that is how I know she is not

> keeping it down. Her foot flexes great out of the shoes. I have tried

> different kinds of socks but have not been too pleased with any, thick

> or thin. I just bought more at Old Navy to try today. What is the

> difference between the bar and the kind I have for Abbey? Can

> you just flat out by the one? Do you have to be sized for

it?

> Thank yall so much for all your help. It is so gret there is a

place to

> help each other out.

> Kate

>

> Abbey born 4/23//06 RCF

>

[Guest guest]

I am not familiar with what atypical is. Her dr. is Dr. Crawford

here in SA. We are military, so he is too. I don't believe he is

on 'the list', but he practices Ponsetti's method. He has been

amazed with her progress as has her pediatrian. Yesterday I got her

foot in the shoe better and it has stayed almost 24 thus far. I just

feel like I am pulling the strap so tight to get it to stay

properly. I thought about trying the shoes. I have heard

only good things about them. Does anyone have negative feedback on

them? It is a lot of money, so I want to know what to expect.

Thanks!

Kate

> >

> > Some of you have asked about her shoes so here it goes:

> > They are white leather with buckle and laces. They do have

the hole

> > in the back heel to check her heel, that is how I know she is

not

> > keeping it down. Her foot flexes great out of the shoes. I

have tried

> > different kinds of socks but have not been too pleased with any,

thick

> > or thin. I just bought more at Old Navy to try today. What is

the

> > difference between the bar and the kind I have for

Abbey? Can

> > you just flat out by the one? Do you have to be sized

for

> it?

> > Thank yall so much for all your help. It is so gret there is a

> place to

> > help each other out.

> > Kate

> >

> > Abbey born 4/23//06 RCF

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kate,

An atypical clubfoot is usually a little harder to fully correct, and

can be pretty easily recognized by it's short, fat appearance -

they're sometimes referred to as " sausage feet " . : )

There is usually a lateral crease across the bottom of the foot, which

may not fully disappear with correction, and the cavus deformity (in

the arch of the foot) may still need some work, even after the rest of

the foot is back into alignment. The P/M (Ponseti/) brace is

better than the Markells for holding the correction in this type of

foot and can actually help finalize the correction of the cavus.

Actually, from all the things you've said so far, I think we can

probably stick with the assumption that her foot is fully corrected

and just look at the shoes to try to get you over this hump.

Although, it actually sounds like things are improving already.

Sometimes it is just a matter of the foot needing to sort of " firm up "

a bit after being " squished " inside a cast all those weeks. Then the

foot grows a little and the shoes start fitting better and these

things resolve themselves. It is necessary to pull the strap really

tight, tighter than you would imagine in order to get the shoe to stay

put, especially in these early days. You should also dorsiflex the

foot as you are putting the shoe on so that it really pushes the heel

down into the bottom of the shoe.

I don't think that I have heard of Dr. Crawford, but hopefully someone

else will know of him and be able to give you some feedback on him.

We also have a couple families here who are military who might be able

to give you more info about insurance etc.

The P/M's are really nice, I don't use them for my son, but there are

a lot of people who wouldn't trade them for anything. This is not to

say that they are perfect, but I think far, far fewer people have

issues with them than with the Markells.

Just keep us posted on how things are going with keeping the shoes on

and we'll help you figure it out if it doesn't continue to get better!

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

> > >

> > > Some of you have asked about her shoes so here it goes:

> > > They are white leather with buckle and laces. They do have

> the hole

> > > in the back heel to check her heel, that is how I know she is

> not

> > > keeping it down. Her foot flexes great out of the shoes. I

> have tried

> > > different kinds of socks but have not been too pleased with any,

> thick

> > > or thin. I just bought more at Old Navy to try today. What is

> the

> > > difference between the bar and the kind I have for

> Abbey? Can

> > > you just flat out by the one? Do you have to be sized

> for

> > it?

> > > Thank yall so much for all your help. It is so gret there is a

> > place to

> > > help each other out.

> > > Kate

> > >

> > > Abbey born 4/23//06 RCF

> > >

> >

>