Guest guest Posted May 12, 2003 Report Share Posted May 12, 2003 , I am also a toe walker...always have been. While I haven't had this surgery, using inshoe orthotics which are built up under my feet allow me to walk with a Heel first, then toe step. I haven't heard of these orthotics used on childrens feet. At any rate, yes, I would definitely get a 2nd opinion. ~ Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2003 Report Share Posted May 12, 2003 hi kelly...I had the heel cord surgery done 13 yrs ago...I;m 48 now... Its a very painful recovery but I'm glad I had it done..I can wear sneakers now,before i had to wear shoes with heels..I'm still walking flat footed,I cant go on my toes now even if i wanted to..I would have it done if i were u..My balance is better and I dont feel so weird walking barefoot in front of someone....good luck Heidi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2003 Report Share Posted May 12, 2003 Its always wise to get more than one opinion on any medical procedure. When I was about 17, I had a lot of pain and cramping in my right foot so I had my Achilles tendon lengthened; the operation relieved that aspect, but I never gained back the strength in my leg and was never able to run after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2003 Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 , I haven't posted in quite sometime, but I felt compelled to reply to your post. I am now 43 years old, but I had my heel cords lengthened several years ago (plus some other procedures). For me, lengthening the heel cords helped me tremendously. Surgery was done on one foot at a time. I wore several casts, and it was inconvenient, but well worth it. I did not find the surgery to be that painful either. In my opinion, I would seek another doctor/surgeons opinion since your daughter is so young. Good luck, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2003 Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 Walking on tiptoe in CMT type 1 (is it type 1A??) is a compensation to forefootdrop: in few words it's a way of walking without effort (they just have to control the triceps surae muscles) and without tripping. Children generally prefer walking on tiptoe instead of lifting the leg more than normally (steppage gait). In time the triceps surae muscles get short because they are not stretched and later on it is sometimes necessary to lengthen the Achilles tendons by surgery, which may weaken the muscles. I prescribe daily stretching exercises for the plantarflexors on the oscillating table and walking with flat shoes at home (outside the house some heel is necessary). At the age of 8 I do not recommend surgery to lengthen the heel cord, since the triceps sure is just contractured, not fibrotic, and should be not difficult to stretch it by such a treatment (2 sessions a day - 30 minutes each - better if combined with recreative activities, such as painting on a paper on the wall, if she likes). Supervision by a physiotherapist is generally recommended. Best regards to everyone. Paolo Vinci ----- Original Message ----- From: " Benzo " <kwilson@...> < > Sent: Monday, May 12, 2003 9:50 PM Subject: HEEL CORD SURGERY > My daughter just turned 8 and was diagnosed with CMT (Type 1) > over a year ago. She has always been a tiptoe walker. She's > had orthos and braces to try and stretch the heel cord....physical > therapy...nothing has made a noticeable improvement. Her doctor > at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA is recommending heel > cord surgery to lengthen the heel cord. > > Does anyone have any experience with this? I'd appreciate any > input or advice anyone has. Additionally, do you think it would > be wise to obtain a second opinion before surgery? > > Thanks to anyone responding. > > Benzo > > > > > HMSN (CMT) is an inherited, progressive disease of the nerves with weakness and numbness more > pronounced in the legs than the arms. Physical therapy, braces, and orthopedic surgery may help > manage these symptoms. Most people with HMSN can walk throughout their life and are self-sufficient. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2003 Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 In a message dated 5/12/2003 1:36:27 PM Pacific Standard Time, kwilson@... writes: > Does anyone have any experience with this? I'd appreciate any > input or advice anyone has. Additionally, do you think it would > be wise to obtain a second opinion before surgery? > > Thanks to anyone responding. > > Benzo I had my heel cords lengthened at 7. I am now 35. When I was 18 I went to another orthopedic doctor in Southern California. He told me that the heel cord surgery that I had actually makes feet weaker. That now they use another technique. I just wanted to pass this along. I have kids with CMT. I am following the NT-3 research very closely. I think it maybe the ticket instead of surgery. Just hold on for more NT-3 info before you do anything. Just my opinion. I know how hard it is to watch your children suffer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2003 Report Share Posted May 15, 2003 In a message dated 5/12/2003 6:29:04 PM Pacific Standard Time, dw_morris@... writes: > Its always wise to get more than one opinion on any medical procedure. > When I was about 17, I had a lot of pain and cramping in my right foot > so I had my Achilles tendon lengthened; the operation relieved that > aspect, but I never gained back the strength in my leg and was never > able to run after that. This is the samething I had done at 7. I talked to a nurse that has CMT. She also has 2 children with CMT. She didn't have her sons heel cords operated on. She said they did stretch down after a long time. He is now 18. jenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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