AFO for 14 month old

August 23, 2004

I am the mom of a 14 mth old who went through surgery in May to

correct his left club foot. The surgeon has presecribed an AFO.

The rep from the Brace supplier fitted him with a brace that does

not fit into a standard walking shoe (my son has not started to

walk yet, just while hanging onto furniture) The surgeon saw the

brace and told us to go back the supplier and have them custom make

a brace that will fit into a walking shoe (w/o the shoe being 3 X

the size of the other shoe) Of course when I told the supplier

this, he made the comment that the surgeon does not know the reality

of the braces,etc. I do not want to hinder my son's walking and I

feel that with the right brace he will be a track. does anybody

have any suggestions as far as braces go?

Thanks!!

August 24, 2004

Hi,

Before we began the ponseti method at age 2 my son was in a KAFO

before walking and an AFO once walking I don't think the brace

helped my sons case but I do remember the shoe problem. I use to

order from payless or payless.com there called white chubby boots

they come in wide width and the depth was ok for the AFO to fit in I

just pulled out the sole on that foot. They were the only shoes

that were wide and deep enough for us Vans were always wide enough

but never deep enough. I hope this helps a little. Which Docotor

does your son see?

Michele

Collin's story at http://www.geocities.com/chele323232

August 24, 2004

My daughter was treated with the Ponseti method, however she was/is

having some gait problems. She began using DAFOS during the day in

about March of this year. I would suggest to you since your son is

so young DAFOS that are not worn in shoes. They look almost

identical but have tread on the bottom and three velcro straps to

keep them on. They work great and she is walking much better with

them on. I felt that putting her in shoes that were way too big was

not going to help her walk, but that it would make her trip alot

more than she already was....or cause her to swing her feet sideways

to avoid tripping over the shoes. The company that makes these is

cascade. Her therapist made casts of her feet and then sent the

casts off to cascade. I believe you can look them up online. Do

not be overly worried that your son is not walking at 14 mos. My

daughter did not walk until 22 months. If you would like a pic. of

my daughters DAFOS so you can see what they are like email me and I

will see what I can do.......my comp. has been acting strange

lately.

> I am the mom of a 14 mth old who went through surgery in May to

> correct his left club foot. The surgeon has presecribed an AFO.

> The rep from the Brace supplier fitted him with a brace that does

> not fit into a standard walking shoe (my son has not started to

> walk yet, just while hanging onto furniture) The surgeon saw the

> brace and told us to go back the supplier and have them custom

make

> a brace that will fit into a walking shoe (w/o the shoe being 3 X

> the size of the other shoe) Of course when I told the supplier

> this, he made the comment that the surgeon does not know the

reality

> of the braces,etc. I do not want to hinder my son's walking and I

> feel that with the right brace he will be a track. does anybody

> have any suggestions as far as braces go?

> Thanks!!

August 24, 2004

I'm really sorry to hear your child went through surgery. Have you asked your

doctor if a Dennis Brown Bar might be more effective in maintaining correction?

What kind of surgery did your baby have?

If you do go with the AFO, why is it necessary it fit in the shoe? My oldest

son wore AFO's from age 6 months to 21 months. They had a " walking " bottom on

them so those were his shoes, they didn't fit inside a shoe. Seems if you get

one shoe big and one shoe normal you baby will trip a lot and be hurt.

Just a side note - after over a year in AFO's my sons feet were as messed up as

ever. That is when I found this site, discovered Dr. Ponseti and haven't looked

back yet. Please tell us about your child's operation.

s.