Re: Veeti's second cast,

[Guest guest]

Anu,

Please be assured that the treatment your child has recieved is most

likely the same " state of the art " as used my most doctors in the US

or other parts of Europe. Until 4 years ago, there were only about

10-15 Ponseti method doctors in the world with most of them being in

Iowa. Dr. Ponseti's method has been largely ignored for 50 years.

It has only been with Dr. Ponseti's book in 1996 and information

being put on the internet about 1999 that it began to be found by

parents. Parents demanding the treatment has been what has helped

make doctors begin to pay attention.

Most of the world's best pediatric orthopedists did not think that

the Ponseti method was a possibility until the past few years and

even know probably most have not yet switched over to it. Our

original pediatric orthopedic doctor was very much against our using

the Ponseti method initially and it took him about 2 1/2 years before

he finally changed over. Now perhaps as much as half of the doctors

who are members of POSNA are trying to implement Ponseti method

techniques into their treatment. But many still are not or else are

modifying it a bit.

That is why we are all trying to help find ways to let parents know

that it exists and works well for almost all children.

and (3-17-99)

> It is nice to hear that Veeti's treatment has been so succesful.

Congratulations!!!

>

> I simply had to write (as a Finnish mother) because I fear that

people here may have an impression that our Finnish treatment is

totally incompetent. My son is being treated by the same doctor as

Veeti was. Yes, my son has had already two surgeries and has casts at

the moment. I may be a lousy mother but I did not have the ability to

travel to the US. and get my son's feet treated without surgeries. My

son's doctor has always been great to us and the same goes with the

other staff members in the hospital..ok, that is maybe not the point,

if the people are nice or not...but to avoid the surgery. Fine,

unfortunately my son's feet are severe and I doubt that only the

casting and other " soft methods " would have corrected his feet. Maybe

I am wrong. But there are also other children in Finland who have had

excellent treatment. Just wanted to tell you this there in the big

world that we do have something good here!

>

> Unfortunately Sanna, you cannot do anything for us. But maybe you

can spread the word about the ponseti method and someone else may

benefit from that. We will carry on our lives with the choices we

have made without shame. Pity does not help us!

>

> Anu & Atte

>

>

> Veeti's second cast,

>

>

>

> We saw Dr. Ponseti this morning and got some great news: Veeti's

foot

> has improved a lot, and it is possible that he needs only one

cast

> after this one! This means a tenotomy next Monday, and then the

last

> cast. Dr. P wasn't quite sure yet, but was very hopeful! I was so

> amazed when they took the first cast off and saw the foot looking

> almost like normal! Even the heel cord which was very stiff had

given

> up a little!

>

> I'm so truly happy that Veeti is getting the best treatment in

the

> world, but at the same time I feel bitter because all this could

have

> been over months ago if there were.. hmmm.. good doctors in

Finland,

> and I feel sorry for all the other children in Finland who

undergo

> the four-six-month castings and yet have to undergo one or more

> surgeries... What can I do to change it!?

>

> And by the way, Veeti is now 9,5 months old, and a few weeks ago

> started standing up. Nevertheless, he has adjusted to casts

without

> problems, and even tries to stand up with his normal foot. And

crawls

> faster than mommy can run!

>

> Sanna and Veeti (6.5.02, left clubfoot)

>

>

>