Talked with Ortho today in NICU

September 3, 2004

I would be leery too. What if she does damage? The casting process in the

Ponseti Method is very specific as far as the manipulations. Casting has

been known to cause damage... unless she's proficient in the French Physio

Therapy method I think I'd decline. Is this Ortho a Ponseti Dr.? Can you

get one to take a look again? If this doc isn't, I think I'd just ask him

not to see Aiden again. And I would ABSOLUTELY tell EVERY NICU nurse and

perhaps even make a sign for his isolette... that you are to be asked

before ANYONE touches his feet. Because it's not unheard of for people to

come in and *do things*to babies in the NICU regardless of what mama

says. I made them put a sign on my son's isolette stating no bottles or

pacifiers because I got crap from some of the nurses who wanted to bottle

feed him formula. Not exactly the same thing, but I know (from what they

told me) that if I didn't have that sign... my wishes would not have been

obeyed. No matter what they make you feel like, you are still that baby's

mother and YOU get to make the decisions about his well being.

I know it's difficult with your son in the NICU, I'm glad to hear he's

doing so well. We will be thinking of you and Aiden :~}

p.s. - I think your gut is right. Why do they think they need to treat the

feet at all right now? Do they have issues with his feet or what? Good

Lord, let him recover and get strong. The shoes won't even fit so you may

as well wait till his due date.

hugs!

Kori

At 03:07 PM 9/3/2004, you wrote:

>Lets try this again...

>

>Meet with Ortho today. He said Aidan's feet are severe. But we are going

>to continue to wait before we begin treatment until he is stronger. There

>is a massage therapist on staff who says she can begin massaging and

>taping his feet prior to casting to help loosen them up. The Ortho said

>this would be fine. However, my gut is telling me to do nothing and just

>begin with casting. Any thoughts???

September 5, 2004

In a message dated 9/6/2004 12:13:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

jenhundley@... writes:

> Any question I ask that has already been answered 100 times please forgive

> in advance. Just so you know I'm currently blaming all stupidity &craziness

> on postpartuem, so I can't be held liable for anything!!! :-)

>

Please don't apologize for asking questions. We all ask questions that have

already been answered...if they hadn't already been answered we wouldn't have

anyone to ask! We are always glad to help just like the people who helped us

where and are. Remember, one of the purposes of this group is to share and

help as many people as often as possible. Don't ever feel bad or be afraid to

ask. In my book, no question is stupid, only the person who is afraid to ask.

Freeman

September 5, 2004

Thanks Kori for the information. She actually is proficient in the French

method. In fact, I've met two of her patients who stopped by the NICU to visit

her. I happen to be sitting w/Aidan and they came by. You would have never

known the children had clubfoot. Both were bilateral and they're feet looked

perfect. The calves were even the perfect size. However, I just feel like the

less stress he has to endure right now the better.

Dr. Edeen is not an " approved " Ponseti doctor, but he says he's been practicing

his method exclusively for the last 3 years. I did download the questionaire to

ask him the specific questions to see if he's really following the method or

" tweaking " it. He answered all the questions correctly. Two things though, he

does use general anesthia for the tenotomy (I'd rather Aidan not be put under),

but he says it gives him better control over the babies. Also, I asked him

about spacing of the feet once in the shoes, he said 60 degrees. I thought they

should be 70 degrees? I could be mistaken.

Well, I don't want to ramble. If I don't catch you before your trip have a

wonderful time and thanks in advance for the information. Any question I ask

that has already been answered 100 times please forgive in advance. Just so you

know I'm currently blaming all stupidity & craziness on postpartuem, so I can't

be held liable for anything!!! :-)

frogabog frogabog@...> wrote: