Question about First Casting

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

My daughter finally arrived last Monday and has been in the NICU due to an

unrelated to club feet issue. However, as part of her overall treatment they

called in an ortho surgeon who we won't be seeing on an ongoing basis to get

started on the casting process. To my untrained and rather critical eye he

didn't exactly do a very 'scientific' job if you can understand what I mean.

She has what he described as " rather severe clubbed feet with a deep crease that

are very stiff " . He took them, moved them around a bit, and then very inexactly

handed them over to the NICU nurse tending her who sort of held them in a

position like he had when he was holding them and then he put the casts on her.

My questions: Is this normally how first castings go? What should happen in

ongoing ones? Her feet are still turned quite a bit - is this the way they are

supposed to be at the beginning?

In our area, there are no Dr.s listed on Dr. Ponseti's sight but all ortho's

we've talked to no longer treat by surgery but all do 'the Ponseti method'.

This ortho who saw her in the NICU says that he used to treat everyone by

surgery but this method has proven itself over time. He indicated that all

ortho's are now trained in it and he worries that surgeons won't be able to do

the surgery if needed any longer. He then said that while they don't know what

causes club foot, they suspect it is a mild polio virus. Have you ever

read/heard of this?

Sorry so long but I'm just frustrated beyond belief. Our chosen ortho will see

her as soon as she's out of the NICU so I have hope that things will change but

am seeking answers now from those of you who have been there.

Chris