Using the Ponseti method after a surgery

[Guest guest]

,

As I had mentioned a few days ago, there is the part of the Ponseti

method that deals with relapsing where they will remanipulate and

recast the feet over a 4-6 week period. There have been a few

parents whose children have had a prior surgery and then gone to the

U of Iowa to see if they could use the later part of the Ponseti

method to try to prevent a relapse from leading to a second release

type of surgery. I am aware of 3 parents from the internet who have

done this. who went to Dr. Colburn and 2 parents who went to

see Dr. Ponseti in Iowa.

I would think that Dr. Ponseti (Iowa), Dr. Herzenberg (Baltimore) or

perhaps Dr Feldman (NYU) would need to see your child to give you and

idea of what they think may be possible with the Ponseti method to

try to avoid a second surgery. I would think that Dr. Ponseti would

have the most experience with his method in all types of situations.

I would think that Dr. Feldman would have had the most experience

with feet that had previously had surgery since NYU used to do it

more often. It is possible that they may have tried to apply Ponseti

method techniques to relapsing surgically treated feet in the past

year since they began using the Ponseti method. I think that Dr.

Herzenberg would also be a good person to ask because he has been

using the method for about 4 years now.

I would encourage you to call Dr. Ponseti and ask him. I think that

some of the 3 parents who have done it were originally being told

that it may not work and they just persisted in wanting to try it

first until Dr. Ponseti and Dr. Colburn agreed to try. I would guess

that it will depend on a number of things and making the attempt.

The phrase " talipes equinovarus " is the medical term for clubfoot and

does not say how severe the feet may be.

and (3-17-99)

> 's flexibility is said to be " stiff and rigid " does this mean

that Dr.

> P's technique won't work on him? His medical diagnosis is " Talipes

> Equonivorus " which I'm sure I misspelled.

>

> +

> Bilateral Clubfoot

> 1st surgery April 17th right foot

> 2nd surgery June 1st left foot

> Cast Free July 27th

> Further Surgery Pending