Re: Help!! first day with Dbb

[Guest guest]

Hi

My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his DBB. Within hours he

had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned to blisters which

became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but just make sure nothing

is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are coming, just to be sure.

Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at all, but I remember

thinking we would never get through it. You have to make sure the heel is

all the way down and we drew around his toes in the beginning so I knew if

his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut a hole in the heel of

his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole was there it took no

time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

Good luck

Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

-- Help!! first day with Dbb

Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do for

him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to give

each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

PLEASE!

Thanks

[Guest guest]

how do you know if the heel is all the way down? My husband pushed his feet in

the shoe and held them while I laced them up. We were pretty sure they were all

the way down. But has such little feet and they are so fat, so it's hard

to tell. I really dont think he's hurting. But i don't know.. He can't tell

me. He will calm down and then start back up as soon as he moves his legs. So

it could be that he just doesn't like to be restrained. but He's been crying

nearly non stop for 2 hours. Thanks for replying..

Help!! first day with Dbb

Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do for

him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to give

each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

PLEASE!

Thanks

[Guest guest]

how do you know if the heel is all the way down? My husband pushed

his feet in the shoe and held them while I laced them up. We were

pretty sure they were all the way down. But has such little

feet and they are so fat, so it's hard to tell. I really dont think

he's hurting. But i don't know.. He can't tell me. He will calm

down and then start back up as soon as he moves his legs. So it

could be that he just doesn't like to be restrained. but He's been

crying nearly non stop for 2 hours. Thanks for replying..

>

> Hi

>

> My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his DBB. Within

hours he

> had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned to blisters

which

> became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but just make sure

nothing

> is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are coming, just

to be sure.

> Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at all, but I

remember

> thinking we would never get through it. You have to make sure the

heel is

> all the way down and we drew around his toes in the beginning so I

knew if

> his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut a hole in

the heel of

> his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole was there it

took no

> time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

>

> Good luck

>

> Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> -- Help!! first day with Dbb

>

> Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

> is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do for

> him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to give

> each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

> PLEASE!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I took the laces out and buckled it up then drew round his toes you can

pretty much see if the heel is down. When we cut the hole and knew nothing

was hurting I helped him move his feet up and down and in and out for a

couple of days until he got the hang of it. Hope this helps.

Rach

-- Help!! first day with Dbb

>

> Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

> is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do for

> him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to give

> each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

> PLEASE!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

My daughter has had the DDB for a couple months now, and is doing fine. At

first she cried continuously, and would whimper in her sleep. But, she did

get used to it. The way I was taught to check if the foot is in there all

the way is to press down on the top of the foot. Then while pressing

down, I would do the buckle pretty tight. It seemed to work for us. She

slipped out a few times, but overall has kept her shoes on. Also, I felt

so bad when she would cry, so I would take her shoes off for a few hours.

I think this was a mistake because when her shoes would go back on, she

would cry even more. Now I take them off for her stretching and for baths

only. She doesn't even cry when I put them back on now. She did get a

blister on her little toe at first, but now she gets nothing. I had to

soak the foot to get rid of the blister, and put lots of antibacterial

ointment on it. Also, I took another parents advice when playing with the

DDB. I played a game where I put her legs straight up, then down. She

would laugh when I did it at first. After a while, when I was watching

her, I would catch her smiling at me and putting her legs up in the air.

I have even caught her doing it in her sleep. She is sure going to have a

6 pack stomach. She has a twin sister, so I just have to keep an eye on

her so she doesn't whack her sister. Good luck, and don't be

discouraged. It does get better.

_____

From:

Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 9:30 AM

To: nosurgery4clubfoot

Subject: Re: Help!! first day with Dbb

how do you know if the heel is all the way down? My husband pushed

his feet in the shoe and held them while I laced them up. We were

pretty sure they were all the way down. But has such little

feet and they are so fat, so it's hard to tell. I really dont think

he's hurting. But i don't know.. He can't tell me. He will calm

down and then start back up as soon as he moves his legs. So it

could be that he just doesn't like to be restrained. but He's been

crying nearly non stop for 2 hours. Thanks for replying..

>

> Hi

>

> My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his DBB. Within

hours he

> had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned to blisters

which

> became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but just make sure

nothing

> is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are coming, just

to be sure.

> Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at all, but I

remember

> thinking we would never get through it. You have to make sure the

heel is

> all the way down and we drew around his toes in the beginning so I

knew if

> his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut a hole in

the heel of

> his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole was there it

took no

> time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

>

> Good luck

>

> Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> -- Help!! first day with Dbb

>

> Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

> is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do for

> him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to give

> each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

> PLEASE!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, I forgot...when putting on the shoe, I would push down at the knee

towards the heel. Then I could feel when the heel reached the bottom of

the shoe. Pushing down at the top of the foot keeps her from curling her

toes. Hope that helps.

_____

From: Denison

Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 9:48 AM

To: 'nosurgery4clubfoot '

Subject: RE: Re: Help!! first day with Dbb

,

My daughter has had the DDB for a couple months now, and is doing fine. At

first she cried continuously, and would whimper in her sleep. But, she did

get used to it. The way I was taught to check if the foot is in there all

the way is to press down on the top of the foot. Then while pressing

down, I would do the buckle pretty tight. It seemed to work for us. She

slipped out a few times, but overall has kept her shoes on. Also, I felt

so bad when she would cry, so I would take her shoes off for a few hours.

I think this was a mistake because when her shoes would go back on, she

would cry even more. Now I take them off for her stretching and for baths

only. She doesn't even cry when I put them back on now. She did get a

blister on her little toe at first, but now she gets nothing. I had to

soak the foot to get rid of the blister, and put lots of antibacterial

ointment on it. Also, I took another parents advice when playing with the

DDB. I played a game where I put her legs straight up, then down. She

would laugh when I did it at first. After a while, when I was watching

her, I would catch her smiling at me and putting her legs up in the air.

I have even caught her doing it in her sleep. She is sure going to have a

6 pack stomach. She has a twin sister, so I just have to keep an eye on

her so she doesn't whack her sister. Good luck, and don't be

discouraged. It does get better.

_____

From:

Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 9:30 AM

To: nosurgery4clubfoot

Subject: Re: Help!! first day with Dbb

how do you know if the heel is all the way down? My husband pushed

his feet in the shoe and held them while I laced them up. We were

pretty sure they were all the way down. But has such little

feet and they are so fat, so it's hard to tell. I really dont think

he's hurting. But i don't know.. He can't tell me. He will calm

down and then start back up as soon as he moves his legs. So it

could be that he just doesn't like to be restrained. but He's been

crying nearly non stop for 2 hours. Thanks for replying..

>

> Hi

>

> My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his DBB. Within

hours he

> had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned to blisters

which

> became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but just make sure

nothing

> is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are coming, just

to be sure.

> Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at all, but I

remember

> thinking we would never get through it. You have to make sure the

heel is

> all the way down and we drew around his toes in the beginning so I

knew if

> his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut a hole in

the heel of

> his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole was there it

took no

> time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

>

> Good luck

>

> Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> -- Help!! first day with Dbb

>

> Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

> is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do for

> him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to give

> each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

> PLEASE!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh good. that's what we did. Phew.. I think he's nearly worn himself right

out. Plum tuckered. It's so heartbreaking. Thanks for all the info. It's

good to know that someone out there has gone thru what we're going thru and that

we aren't a " special " case. Thanks again..

Help!! first day with Dbb

>

> Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

> is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do for

> him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to give

> each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

> PLEASE!

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh good. that's what we did. Phew.. I think he's nearly worn

himself right out. Plum tuckered. It's so heartbreaking. Thanks

for all the info. It's good to know that someone out there has gone

thru what we're going thru and that we aren't a " special " case.

Thanks again..

> >

> > Hi

> >

> > My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his DBB. Within

> hours he

> > had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned to

blisters

> which

> > became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but just make

sure

> nothing

> > is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are coming, just

> to be sure.

> > Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at all, but I

> remember

> > thinking we would never get through it. You have to make sure

the

> heel is

> > all the way down and we drew around his toes in the beginning so

I

> knew if

> > his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut a hole in

> the heel of

> > his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole was there it

> took no

> > time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

> >

> > Good luck

> >

> > Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> > -- Help!! first day with Dbb

> >

> > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

> > is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do

for

> > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to

give

> > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

> > PLEASE!

> >

> > Thanks

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Just know--it does get better! One way to tell is when you are sure

his heel is all the way down (you could even take the tongue and

laces out of the shoe while doing this) mark a line with an ink pen

where the end of his toes come to. Keep in mind though if you use

thicker socks this will effect the line you have marked. You will

probably only have to us this line for the first week or so while he

is adjusting to assure yourself if his heel is remaining down or

not. If you notice there is extra room between his toes and the line

you know his heels have slipped up in the boot and you have to

readjust. Good luck, it DOES get better (light at the end of the

tunnel!!).

Pam and (8-12-01)

> >

> > Hi

> >

> > My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his DBB. Within

> hours he

> > had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned to blisters

> which

> > became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but just make

sure

> nothing

> > is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are coming, just

> to be sure.

> > Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at all, but I

> remember

> > thinking we would never get through it. You have to make sure the

> heel is

> > all the way down and we drew around his toes in the beginning so

I

> knew if

> > his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut a hole in

> the heel of

> > his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole was there it

> took no

> > time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

> >

> > Good luck

> >

> > Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> > -- Help!! first day with Dbb

> >

> > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

> > is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do for

> > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to

give

> > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

> > PLEASE!

> >

> > Thanks

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Welp... I know I'm doing something wrong. He gets so mad and kicks

them off, so i know i'm not doing it right. I don't think i'm

getting them tight enough. I've even cut holes in the toes to make

sure it's not too tight. This is probably the toughest part so

far. ACK!!! I do appreciate all the advice everyone has given

me!! I can't wait to see that light at the end of the tunnel!!

> > >

> > > Hi

> > >

> > > My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his DBB.

Within

> > hours he

> > > had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned to

blisters

> > which

> > > became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but just make

> sure

> > nothing

> > > is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are coming,

just

> > to be sure.

> > > Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at all, but

I

> > remember

> > > thinking we would never get through it. You have to make sure

the

> > heel is

> > > all the way down and we drew around his toes in the beginning

so

> I

> > knew if

> > > his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut a hole

in

> > the heel of

> > > his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole was there

it

> > took no

> > > time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

> > >

> > > Good luck

> > >

> > > Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> > > -- Help!! first day with Dbb

> > >

> > > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

> > > is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do

for

> > > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to

> give

> > > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

> > > PLEASE!

> > >

> > > Thanks

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

, do you have the open-toe shoes or are they close-toe shoes?

Daiga and Owen

> > > >

> > > > Hi

> > > >

> > > > My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his DBB.

> Within

> > > hours he

> > > > had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned to

> blisters

> > > which

> > > > became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but just make

> > sure

> > > nothing

> > > > is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are coming,

> just

> > > to be sure.

> > > > Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at all, but

> I

> > > remember

> > > > thinking we would never get through it. You have to make sure

> the

> > > heel is

> > > > all the way down and we drew around his toes in the beginning

> so

> > I

> > > knew if

> > > > his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut a hole

> in

> > > the heel of

> > > > his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole was there

> it

> > > took no

> > > > time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

> > > >

> > > > Good luck

> > > >

> > > > Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> > > > -- Help!! first day with Dbb

> > > >

> > > > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a

time!!

> > > > is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do

> for

> > > > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to

> > give

> > > > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do.

HELP!

> > > > PLEASE!

> > > >

> > > > Thanks

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

They are opened

Help!! first day with Dbb

> > > >

> > > > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a

time!!

> > > > is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do

> for

> > > > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to

> > give

> > > > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do.

HELP!

> > > > PLEASE!

> > > >

> > > > Thanks

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

I meant i cut holes in the toes of his socks.. sorry..

Help!! first day with Dbb

> > > >

> > > > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a

time!!

> > > > is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do

> for

> > > > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to

> > give

> > > > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do.

HELP!

> > > > PLEASE!

> > > >

> > > > Thanks

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

If he's able to kick them off, then you're right, they're not tight

enough. Try loosening the laces as much as possible and pulling the

tongue up and out of the way when you place his foot into the shoe.

You should be able to see that his heel is at the back and that his

foot is planted. Next, hold his foot in place by putting your thumb

over the bridge of his foot and tighten the strap...if you need to,

punch an additional hold into the strap. If it's as tight as it will

go, he shouldn't be able to slip his foot out even without the laces

tied. Once you've got them tied, run your finger under his toes at

the end of the shoe just to make sure that he hasn't curled any of

his toes. If you're able to rule out that the shoes aren't hurting

him, you may want to check the length of the bar to make sure that

his feet are shoulder width apart from the insides of the heels. If

that is fine, then you can concentrate on getting him used to the

DBB. Try playing with him by raising and lowering the bar so that he

understands that he needs to move his legs together.

Hope this helps! Hang in there!

Daiga and Owen, 02/04/03

Unilateral LCF, DBB 14/24

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi

> > > > >

> > > > > My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his DBB.

> > Within

> > > > hours he

> > > > > had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned to

> > blisters

> > > > which

> > > > > became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but just

make

> > > sure

> > > > nothing

> > > > > is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are

coming,

> > just

> > > > to be sure.

> > > > > Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at all,

but

> > I

> > > > remember

> > > > > thinking we would never get through it. You have to make

sure

> > the

> > > > heel is

> > > > > all the way down and we drew around his toes in the

beginning

> > so

> > > I

> > > > knew if

> > > > > his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut a

hole

> > in

> > > > the heel of

> > > > > his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole was

there

> > it

> > > > took no

> > > > > time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

> > > > >

> > > > > Good luck

> > > > >

> > > > > Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> > > > > -- Help!! first day with Dbb

> > > > >

> > > > > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a

> time!!

> > > > > is screaming and crying and I have know idea what

to do

> > for

> > > > > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth,

just to

> > > give

> > > > > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do.

> HELP!

> > > > > PLEASE!

> > > > >

> > > > > Thanks

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

,

Darbi kicked like that at first. Like she was trying to kick it off. She

kicked both feet really hard and would just cry and cry more and harder

than she ever had before. I know now that they were hurting her. I knew

then but I ignored it because I had heard so much about keeping the shoes

on no matter what. Well... we ended up with a pressure sore on her CF

which took over 7w to heal and if I knew then what I know now I would not

have let her get that sore in the first place. First off, m,ake sure

you're taking them off often to check for any marks. Red is ok, burning

red that looks irritated is questionable and black/purple is absolutely not

ok (this is a pressure sore, or will be). Taking them off may see tedious

right now but it serves a couple of purposes, one being you get to check

those poor sensitive footlets out often enough to catch any problems before

they become big problems and you get lots of practice putting the shoes

on. I also feel that parents new to the DBB should put the shoes on

without the bar. Use a sharpie to mark where they're supposed to be set so

it's easy to put them back in the right position.

kicking the shoes off could be for a couple of reasons... either they

aren't tight enough or the heel isn't seated down properly. They can come

off even if they're tight enough to cause a sore if the heel is rising

up. If you look back a couple of days posts I sent one with information

about how to put the shoes on so the heel is down (bend the knee, dorsiflex

the foot hard, press hard and hold the strap with your thumb as you cinch

it up very tight - pull the tongue WAY down over the toes so the top of the

boot can be closed tightly around the ankle - slit the tongue keeper slit

higher on the tongue if needed and tighten the laces very tight... to sum

up :~} ) and there are tons of posts from the past 10 mo's with varied

tips from many parents on how to get the DBB on well. Just keep on

checking his feet. And if you see signs of blisters or pressure sores

there's something wrong with the fit of the DBB and you must find the

problem and fix it before you put them back on or he will get sores.

Do you have the new Markell shoes or the old ones with the insert? (new =

no seam down the inside heel - these don't have or need an insert)

We do understand how difficult it is at first. For some it is way worse

than others but it's not fun for anyone (horrifying in fact for some of

us). Rest assured that it does get better and with the information you can

get here you can circumvent any problems with sores and blisters if you're

proactive and don't just keep the DBB on even when you know something is

amiss. It *IS* important to keep it on... and if it's not causing pain you

absolutely should keep it on no matter how much he cries in annoyance. But

if you feel in your heart that it's *hurting* him trust your

instincts. There's no worse thing for a baby treated successfully with the

Ponseti Method of casting than to not be able to maintain the correction

because he/she can't wear the DBB because it gave him/her sores. Sores

don't heal in the DBB without major modifications to the shoes (which does

work and isn't a big deal especially if the alternative is not wearing it)

so you really want to avoid them at all costs. However if it does happen

it's not the end of the world - more than one of us has been through it and

came through without problems so don't despair. It is entirely possible

however to get past this first day and never look back, many babies adapt

to it without any problems at all. And even though it might seem far off

and impossible someday you will look back at this time and wonder how

you've come so far... with a happy baby who wears the DBB and doesn't

think twice about it walking around the house pushing stools around in

it. Amazing really!!

Above all listen to your instincts and listen to your baby. He will tell

you what's going on - watch him and make sure you don't see signs of

sores. If you do, don't put the shoes back on till you figure out how to

fix the problem. Were here to help if needed :~}

Oh, and for tonight... Even if you would never do it in another

circumstance take that baby to bed with you and cuddle. One reason being

that you will be right there if there's a problem (so you can pitch those

damn shoes across the room in the dark lol... no seriously... so you can

comfort him back to sleep) and another is that your presence will be a big

comfort to a baby newly out of casts and in the DBB. If you're nursing you

can lie him on his side and nurse lying down/sleeping with the dbb, the

both of you will get more sleep tonight if you do this than if you put him

in a crib alone.

HTH - let us know how it's going whenever you get a chance. Oh, something

else I learned that I love... tie a knot in the middle of the laces so you

know where the middle is all the time. Then when laced through all the way

tie knots in the ends so they don't pull out. I LOVE this! Makes it way

easier to put the shoes on if you never have to worry about the laces being

even and re-threading the laces each time you put them on. Instead of

cutting holes in the toes of the socks, before you tighten the laces pull

on the toes of the socks to blouse them out. It looks funny but it gets

that seam off of the toes and it helps make sure the heel is down.

Kori

Darbi's mama - Rt. CF DBB 14hr/day

At 03:30 PM 1/24/04, you wrote:

>I meant i cut holes in the toes of his socks.. sorry..

> Help!! first day with Dbb

> > > > >

> > > > > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a

> time!!

> > > > > is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do

> > for

> > > > > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to

> > > give

> > > > > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do.

> HELP!

> > > > > PLEASE!

> > > > >

> > > > > Thanks

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

We have the new Markell shoes and the new bar... You have to use a

wrench to get the shoes off the bar. You actually made me tear up

with " pitching the shoes " .. That's exactly how i feel right now. I

honestly feel like his feet aren't quite ready for these shoes. I

don't think they flex upward (dorsiflex?) like they are supposed to

for the shoes. The doc that saw him on Friday before we got the

shoes said they were 5 to 10 degrees above neutral. Is that good

enough? screams like he's in pain.. This child never cries

unless We're at the doc's and he's messing with his feet. Thanks

for all your info!! God bless!

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Hi

> > > > > >

> > > > > > My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his

DBB.

> > > Within

> > > > > hours he

> > > > > > had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned

to

> > > blisters

> > > > > which

> > > > > > became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but

just make

> > > > sure

> > > > > nothing

> > > > > > is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are

coming,

> > > just

> > > > > to be sure.

> > > > > > Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at

all, but

> > > I

> > > > > remember

> > > > > > thinking we would never get through it. You have to

make sure

> > > the

> > > > > heel is

> > > > > > all the way down and we drew around his toes in the

beginning

> > > so

> > > > I

> > > > > knew if

> > > > > > his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut

a hole

> > > in

> > > > > the heel of

> > > > > > his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole

was there

> > > it

> > > > > took no

> > > > > > time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Good luck

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> > > > > > -- Help!! first day with Dbb

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a

> > time!!

> > > > > > is screaming and crying and I have know idea

what to do

> > > for

> > > > > > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth,

just to

> > > > give

> > > > > > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to

do.

> > HELP!

> > > > > > PLEASE!

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Thanks

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I think many of us felt like they weren't ready for the shoes at first. I

remember crying as I put the shoes on her because she was crying so

much... I know what you're going through. We don't have that bar, we have

the gold one that uses nuts. I am uncertain which is better, the gold one

isn't adjustable and you have to increase the length 2 " each time you go

longer but you can get the shoes off which I think helped us a lot at

first. If you need to use a wrench, could you use it each time? I am

unfamiliar with that bar, I've heard lots about it and wondered about it

but I haven't seen one first hand yet so I can't help much with that. If

he's got 5-10 degrees from neutral that's pretty good. Just make sure when

you put the shoes on that you're dorsiflexing it enough and I really feel

that the tongue sits way too high in these shoes to keep the heels down far

enough. I feel if it's high it actually pulls the heels up so that's why I

say pull it down over his toes and cut the slit longer. The new shoes have

a smaller tongue, so it doesn't sit as high as the old ones did but it

still sits too high for my comfort. I have the tongue keeper slit up to

the seam and even then I have the tongue pulled down farther than it would

sit naturally. I like the tongue top to be under the top of the boot at

the ankle personally.

He also might not be letting you dorsiflex it enough to get the heels

down. Darbi does this, she points her toes and pushes hard and it seems

like she isn't corrected and then if you push hard enough she lets up and

it flexes right up nicely. She's just strong. There is a bit of something

to their skin being so sensitive at first and they don't really like being

in the DBB in the first place. It really is true that you can't get it

too tight... but on sensitive feet at first it really may feel terrible

when it's tight. We don't really know because we haven't been in the DBB

after being in a cast for 7w so it's hard to say exactly how they feel but

I imagine it would be pretty ugly if it were us.

The most important thing is to watch for marks that could turn into sores

and to prevent slipping which will cause a blister. As long as you are

checking it often, making SURE the heels are down in the shoes and making

them tight enough to prevent slipping there's not a lot that you can do but

let him get used to it. Oh, and making sure that it's not turned out

farther than the last cast or the bar is too wide or too short (a baby that

age should be at approximately 8 " give or take a little - just put it up to

his shoulders - the heels of the boots should be the same distance apart as

his shoulders).

It's going to be a long night for you but you'll make it :~} Don't give

up~!! You should not however... keep those shoes on if you see the

marks. Especially in the middle of the night. If you're seeing marks in

the middle of the night go ahead and pitch the shoes lol... but get right

on it in the morning and figure out why they're making marks (red is ok

remember, dark angry red questionable and purple absolutely not) and fix

the problem. But if you don't see them you're going to be ok and he's just

going through the time he needs to go through to get used to them. There's

a lot to take in with all the suggestions and things to watch out for but

at least you're going into it with some knowledge of what to do and what

not to do so you're ahead of many people :~}

I hope it gets easier for you. I'll be thinking of you and hoping for the

best. If you need any more help let us know. These parents here got me

through it when I thought it was the worst thing we'd ever had to do...

they are the best :~} And I know what you mean about a baby who doesn't

cry unless it's his feet being messed with. I had the same thing. I

seriously wondered what kind of damage it was doing to her to be crying

like that since she never did before. Such a happy baby... but not when

her feet hurt. Once you get past this time and it starts to work for you

you'll be amazed at how comfortable he will be in the DBB... just like you

remember him and how you know he is. When the shoes fit well they really

don't act any different than when they aren't on. Know it WILL get better.

hugs,

Kori

At 06:33 PM 1/24/04, you wrote:

>We have the new Markell shoes and the new bar... You have to use a

>wrench to get the shoes off the bar. You actually made me tear up

>with " pitching the shoes " .. That's exactly how i feel right now. I

>honestly feel like his feet aren't quite ready for these shoes. I

>don't think they flex upward (dorsiflex?) like they are supposed to

>for the shoes. The doc that saw him on Friday before we got the

>shoes said they were 5 to 10 degrees above neutral. Is that good

>enough? screams like he's in pain.. This child never cries

>unless We're at the doc's and he's messing with his feet. Thanks

>for all your info!! God bless!

>

>

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Hi

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his

>DBB.

> > > > Within

> > > > > > hours he

> > > > > > > had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned

>to

> > > > blisters

> > > > > > which

> > > > > > > became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but

>just make

> > > > > sure

> > > > > > nothing

> > > > > > > is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are

>coming,

> > > > just

> > > > > > to be sure.

> > > > > > > Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at

>all, but

> > > > I

> > > > > > remember

> > > > > > > thinking we would never get through it. You have to

>make sure

> > > > the

> > > > > > heel is

> > > > > > > all the way down and we drew around his toes in the

>beginning

> > > > so

> > > > > I

> > > > > > knew if

> > > > > > > his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut

>a hole

> > > > in

> > > > > > the heel of

> > > > > > > his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole

>was there

> > > > it

> > > > > > took no

> > > > > > > time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Good luck

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> > > > > > > -- Help!! first day with Dbb

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a

> > > time!!

> > > > > > > is screaming and crying and I have know idea

>what to do

> > > > for

> > > > > > > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth,

>just to

> > > > > give

> > > > > > > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to

>do.

> > > HELP!

> > > > > > > PLEASE!

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Thanks

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

,

I can certainly relate. There is an excellent resource available to

you. Go to the " Files " section of this group. Click on the file

titled " Shoes " by castlady from 1/25/2003. Next, click

on " Troubleshooting the shoes " . If you have any trouble accessing

this, let me know. This became my bible of sorts. Once you've done

everything you can, don't forget that it is normal for your baby to

be uncomfortable the first few days or so. You can give Tylenol and

Ibuprofen around the clock which will help during this period. Just

check the dosing for your child. Hang in there!

Bethany

-- In nosurgery4clubfoot , " " <poohismybb@c...>

wrote:

> Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

> is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do for

> him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to give

> each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

> PLEASE!

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

, I think that his feet are supposed to have at least 10 degrees

of dorsiflexion. Did he have the tenotomy?

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Hi

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his

> DBB.

> > > > Within

> > > > > > hours he

> > > > > > > had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned

> to

> > > > blisters

> > > > > > which

> > > > > > > became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but

> just make

> > > > > sure

> > > > > > nothing

> > > > > > > is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are

> coming,

> > > > just

> > > > > > to be sure.

> > > > > > > Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at

> all, but

> > > > I

> > > > > > remember

> > > > > > > thinking we would never get through it. You have to

> make sure

> > > > the

> > > > > > heel is

> > > > > > > all the way down and we drew around his toes in the

> beginning

> > > > so

> > > > > I

> > > > > > knew if

> > > > > > > his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut

> a hole

> > > > in

> > > > > > the heel of

> > > > > > > his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole

> was there

> > > > it

> > > > > > took no

> > > > > > > time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Good luck

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> > > > > > > -- Help!! first day with

Dbb

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having

a

> > > time!!

> > > > > > > is screaming and crying and I have know idea

> what to do

> > > > for

> > > > > > > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth,

> just to

> > > > > give

> > > > > > > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to

> do.

> > > HELP!

> > > > > > > PLEASE!

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Thanks

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I need to weigh in and disagree about the baby being able to wiggle out of the

shoes. Just like you or I can get our shoes off without untying them, so can a

baby. I was holding Rose on my lap one day and heard a thud. I looked down and

her DBB had just dropped off of her onto the floor. She just flexed her feet

until the shoes came off. In that case, gravity aided her cause. I also found

that when she first started wearing the DBB, I had to lace her shoes all the way

to the top or she could get her foot out. Once we started using that last hole,

her escapism rate dropped dramatically. Now, I don't use the top hole anymore,

mainly because it is hard to get the laces loose enough and the tongue up far

enough to get the shoes on AND keep the laces in all the holes.

Robin & Rose

wrote:

Welp... I know I'm doing something wrong. He gets so mad and kicks

them off, so i know i'm not doing it right. I don't think i'm

getting them tight enough. I've even cut holes in the toes to make

sure it's not too tight. This is probably the toughest part so

far. ACK!!! I do appreciate all the advice everyone has given

me!! I can't wait to see that light at the end of the tunnel!!

> > >

> > > Hi

> > >

> > > My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his DBB.

Within

> > hours he

> > > had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned to

blisters

> > which

> > > became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but just make

> sure

> > nothing

> > > is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are coming,

just

> > to be sure.

> > > Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at all, but

I

> > remember

> > > thinking we would never get through it. You have to make sure

the

> > heel is

> > > all the way down and we drew around his toes in the beginning

so

> I

> > knew if

> > > his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut a hole

in

> > the heel of

> > > his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole was there

it

> > took no

> > > time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

> > >

> > > Good luck

> > >

> > > Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> > > -- Help!! first day with Dbb

> > >

> > > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

> > > is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do

for

> > > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to

> give

> > > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

> > > PLEASE!

> > >

> > > Thanks

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Its two days later and I am curious if it is any better? Rose screamed the

first night until we gave her some Tylenol and then we sat up the rest of the

night and held her. When she would get squirmy, we changed her position. By

morning, she was happy and, although she occasionally slipped her shoes, she

never screamed again.

Robin & Rose

Right club foot.

3/11/03

wrote:

Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do for

him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to give

each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

PLEASE!

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Robin,

Darbi has only come out of her shoes once or twice, and each time I found

they weren't tight enough. She really can't get out of them when they're

tight enough. She's all over the house climbing up on things and pushing

things around *walking* in her DBB. I would think after all that activity

they'd come off at least once but they haven't.

And for those laces... have you considered tying knots in the ends? This

is really the one tip that I have found myself grateful for every day

(along with tying a knot in the middle so I always get them even) and since

I did it the first time it's the first thing I do when we get new shoes

lol. I can pull the laces very loose which makes it easy to get her in

them but the never come out of the holes. Wonderful!

Kori

At 03:02 PM 1/26/04, you wrote:

>I need to weigh in and disagree about the baby being able to wiggle out of

>the shoes. Just like you or I can get our shoes off without untying them,

>so can a baby. I was holding Rose on my lap one day and heard a thud. I

>looked down and her DBB had just dropped off of her onto the floor. She

>just flexed her feet until the shoes came off. In that case, gravity

>aided her cause. I also found that when she first started wearing the

>DBB, I had to lace her shoes all the way to the top or she could get her

>foot out. Once we started using that last hole, her escapism rate dropped

>dramatically. Now, I don't use the top hole anymore, mainly because it is

>hard to get the laces loose enough and the tongue up far enough to get the

>shoes on AND keep the laces in all the holes.

>

>Robin & Rose

>

>

> wrote:

>Welp... I know I'm doing something wrong. He gets so mad and kicks

>them off, so i know i'm not doing it right. I don't think i'm

>getting them tight enough. I've even cut holes in the toes to make

>sure it's not too tight. This is probably the toughest part so

>far. ACK!!! I do appreciate all the advice everyone has given

>me!! I can't wait to see that light at the end of the tunnel!!

>

>

>

> > > >

> > > > Hi

> > > >

> > > > My son screamed and cried from the minute he had his DBB.

>Within

> > > hours he

> > > > had purple spots on his heels which eventually turned to

>blisters

> > > which

> > > > became infected. They do find it hard to adjust but just make

> > sure

> > > nothing

> > > > is hurting. I would keep checking that no marks are coming,

>just

> > > to be sure.

> > > > Connor is 9 months now and has no trouble with it at all, but

>I

> > > remember

> > > > thinking we would never get through it. You have to make sure

>the

> > > heel is

> > > > all the way down and we drew around his toes in the beginning

>so

> > I

> > > knew if

> > > > his foot had slipped or not. Eventually we had to cut a hole

>in

> > > the heel of

> > > > his shoes they just continued to rub. Once the hole was there

>it

> > > took no

> > > > time for him to adjust as they were no longer hurting.

> > > >

> > > > Good luck

> > > >

> > > > Rach Steve and Connor (b/l c/f)

> > > > -- Help!! first day with Dbb

> > > >

> > > > Ok. this is the first day with the DBB. We are having a time!!

> > > > is screaming and crying and I have know idea what to do

>for

> > > > him. My husband and I are passing him back and forth, just to

> > give

> > > > each other a few minutes break. I don't know what to do. HELP!

> > > > PLEASE!

> > > >

> > > > Thanks

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >