Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 , Stop worrying. Quite honestly, I agree with Dr. Ponset and it sounds like Dr. Feldman (right?) got lazy and didn't notice the foot wasn't corrected. I just checked the CFPics list and didn't see any pics from you yet. Do you have any? Any showing how much dorsiflexion? It sounded odd to me that he wanted to do another tenotomy first, when you said the heel wouldn't go down into the shoe at all that was a big sign. I don't know much about tenotomies really, Darbi never had one but I think the foot looks pretty corrected before the tenotomy, it just doesn't have enough dorsiflexion. Don't second guess this. Dr. Ponset has not steered a parent wrong yet as far as I know. I am pretty sure that he knows what each phase of correction looks like in lots of different baby feet, it sounds like he was able to tell you exactly what to do based on what he saw in the pics. I know casts sound difficult, but even with a tenotomy, he'd be in a cast for another 3w. So does it matter? Get the cast, and watch as he manipulates the foot. If he touches the heel... I'd be wary as this is a big no no for Ponseti Method casting. He can tough the achiles area, just not the heel. If you can, have someone else go with you and snap pics during the casting. Lots of them. Just to be on the safe side... since casts are so bothersome for it might be something to do with the casting itself. But it may not, some babies just don't do well with the casts it seems. hang in there, you're doing the right thing! Kori Mama of Kenton 6/98 Merek 3/00 Darbi 3/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/day (¨`·.·´¨) `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) `·.¸.·´ At 09:56 AM 9/13/2004, you wrote: > had great difficulty with the DBB, and it was because his >heel could not go down into the shoe. Our doctor felt it was >necessary to do another tenotomy, this time under general >anaesthetic. I agreed that it was probably the best decision. >However, I wanted a second opinion, so I emailed photos of his feet >to Dr. Ponseti. He replied first thing the next day, and said that >'s feet were not yet fully corrected. Now I don't know if >this was because 's feet had been out of the cast and boots >for a few days already, and he had lost correction, or if the casts >had come off too early. However, based on this, I fussed over whether >or not to go ahead with the surgery. I just kept seeing the last line >of Dr. Ponseti's reply " definitely should not have another >tenotomy until the components of the clubfoot, except for the >equinus, are fully corrected. " I therefore called and spoke to the >nurse at Dr. F's surgery. Based on my fussing, we have decided to do >another cast tomorrow, instead of the tenotomy, which was scheduled >for Wednesday. > >I still doubt myself though, and feel that my doc is a good one, and >would not make a decision that is not the best for . > > has had a really tough time with the casts. He never cried >during the first week, prior to casting. Once the casts were on, he >seemed to cry, or rather scream, every waking moment. Cast after cast >he was the same, and I put it down to colic. Well since the casts >came off (he has had free feet and legs for nearly 2 weeks now) he >has been a different baby, smiling and cooing, crying only when tired >or hungry. The change has been dramatic. I simply can't bare to think >that he may go through more trauma. I know casts are not supposed to >be difficult for the baby, but he has definitely found it difficult. > >I feel like I've been a pain in the neck to our doctor, and that he >is totally annoyed with me. Was I right to make a fuss, or should I >have trusted him and his experience? > > and 06/24/04 bc > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 , My baby, Elijah, has a tough time w/ casts too and our Dr has given us pain meds for him. I know it isnt the norm that the babies scream during casting and are fitful afterwards but in our case, I know we're getting proper treatment and he still has discomfort. Since we've started using the pain meds outside of just casting appts, he's been much happier and has actually slept more than 2 hours at a time. Elijah is 5.5 mo old and until just a couple wks ago, neither of us have slept more than 4 hours at a stretch since he was born. You might speak to your Dr about something to help w/ his pain. Feel free to email me at gatorz5@.... Lori and Elijah 3.26.04 RCF w/ Plantaris. 3wk cast after 2nd tenotomy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 , You're definitely doing the right thing!! Every baby's best advocate is his/her mother (and father). Has Dr. Feldman been doing the actual casting procedure himself, (is he the one holding the foot and molding the plaster) or has an assistant been doing it? Perhaps they're putting undue pressure on with the cast, or not putting enough cotton underneath? Did have any sores or pressure marks when the casts came off? Or- and this is " out there " - maybe there's something unique about 's bone structure, where it's not the same as other clubfeet and the positioning is causing him some pain??????????? Does the doctor spend a lot of time feeling his bones with his fingers to check their position? I may be way off- just wanted to throw out some food for thought for you. Stick with your gut instincts- and don't worry about stepping on toes-trying one more cast is a conservative approach and your doctor shouldn't have an issue with trying this one more time before consenting to a tenotomy under g.a. I hope he tolerates this new cast better than the others! Keep us posted!!!!!! Hugs to you! & (3-16-00) left clubfoot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 - Yes, Yes and Yes you were right to fuss! I would always go with Dr. P's opinion over any other doctors opinion. Dr. P has far more hands on experience than any doctor out there using his method. My big concern now would be that Dr. P doesn't feel the foot is corrected and your doctor does. And that they tried to place your child's foot into the DBB without the heal all the way down. Those are two huge red flags! How many casts has your child now had? What doctor are you seeing? > >Reply-To: nosurgery4clubfoot >To: nosurgery4clubfoot >Subject: Was I right to fuss ? >Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 16:56:08 -0000 > > had great difficulty with the DBB, and it was because his >heel could not go down into the shoe. Our doctor felt it was >necessary to do another tenotomy, this time under general >anaesthetic. I agreed that it was probably the best decision. >However, I wanted a second opinion, so I emailed photos of his feet >to Dr. Ponseti. He replied first thing the next day, and said that >'s feet were not yet fully corrected. Now I don't know if >this was because 's feet had been out of the cast and boots >for a few days already, and he had lost correction, or if the casts >had come off too early. However, based on this, I fussed over whether >or not to go ahead with the surgery. I just kept seeing the last line >of Dr. Ponseti's reply " definitely should not have another >tenotomy until the components of the clubfoot, except for the >equinus, are fully corrected. " I therefore called and spoke to the >nurse at Dr. F's surgery. Based on my fussing, we have decided to do >another cast tomorrow, instead of the tenotomy, which was scheduled >for Wednesday. > >I still doubt myself though, and feel that my doc is a good one, and >would not make a decision that is not the best for . > > has had a really tough time with the casts. He never cried >during the first week, prior to casting. Once the casts were on, he >seemed to cry, or rather scream, every waking moment. Cast after cast >he was the same, and I put it down to colic. Well since the casts >came off (he has had free feet and legs for nearly 2 weeks now) he >has been a different baby, smiling and cooing, crying only when tired >or hungry. The change has been dramatic. I simply can't bare to think >that he may go through more trauma. I know casts are not supposed to >be difficult for the baby, but he has definitely found it difficult. > >I feel like I've been a pain in the neck to our doctor, and that he >is totally annoyed with me. Was I right to make a fuss, or should I >have trusted him and his experience? > > and 06/24/04 bc > _________________________________________________________________ On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2004 Report Share Posted September 14, 2004 , you shouldn't feel bad about fussing to your doctor. This is your childs future! You have to keep on top of your gut feeling even if the doctor seems annoyed!! A compassionate doctor shouldn't get annoyed anyway. He should want to hear your concerns and not disregard them just because he doesn't feel they are of importance. Dr P is very educated and I would heed his expertise! Just bite the bullet and let your doctor know your concerns and tell him what Dr P told you! Good luck, let us know what happens!! Mia Addisyn (6.24.04 BL Atypical CF) Cody 2.6.01 linda07033 linda07033@...> wrote: had great difficulty with the DBB, and it was because his heel could not go down into the shoe. Our doctor felt it was necessary to do another tenotomy, this time under general anaesthetic. I agreed that it was probably the best decision. However, I wanted a second opinion, so I emailed photos of his feet to Dr. Ponseti. He replied first thing the next day, and said that 's feet were not yet fully corrected. Now I don't know if this was because 's feet had been out of the cast and boots for a few days already, and he had lost correction, or if the casts had come off too early. However, based on this, I fussed over whether or not to go ahead with the surgery. I just kept seeing the last line of Dr. Ponseti's reply " definitely should not have another tenotomy until the components of the clubfoot, except for the equinus, are fully corrected. " I therefore called and spoke to the nurse at Dr. F's surgery. Based on my fussing, we have decided to do another cast tomorrow, instead of the tenotomy, which was scheduled for Wednesday. I still doubt myself though, and feel that my doc is a good one, and would not make a decision that is not the best for . has had a really tough time with the casts. He never cried during the first week, prior to casting. Once the casts were on, he seemed to cry, or rather scream, every waking moment. Cast after cast he was the same, and I put it down to colic. Well since the casts came off (he has had free feet and legs for nearly 2 weeks now) he has been a different baby, smiling and cooing, crying only when tired or hungry. The change has been dramatic. I simply can't bare to think that he may go through more trauma. I know casts are not supposed to be difficult for the baby, but he has definitely found it difficult. I feel like I've been a pain in the neck to our doctor, and that he is totally annoyed with me. Was I right to make a fuss, or should I have trusted him and his experience? and 06/24/04 bc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2004 Report Share Posted September 14, 2004 , you shouldn't feel bad about fussing to your doctor. This is your childs future! You have to keep on top of your gut feeling even if the doctor seems annoyed!! A compassionate doctor shouldn't get annoyed anyway. He should want to hear your concerns and not disregard them just because he doesn't feel they are of importance. Dr P is very educated and I would heed his expertise! Just bite the bullet and let your doctor know your concerns and tell him what Dr P told you! Good luck, let us know what happens!! Mia Addisyn (6.24.04 BL Atypical CF) Cody 2.6.01 linda07033 linda07033@...> wrote: had great difficulty with the DBB, and it was because his heel could not go down into the shoe. Our doctor felt it was necessary to do another tenotomy, this time under general anaesthetic. I agreed that it was probably the best decision. However, I wanted a second opinion, so I emailed photos of his feet to Dr. Ponseti. He replied first thing the next day, and said that 's feet were not yet fully corrected. Now I don't know if this was because 's feet had been out of the cast and boots for a few days already, and he had lost correction, or if the casts had come off too early. However, based on this, I fussed over whether or not to go ahead with the surgery. I just kept seeing the last line of Dr. Ponseti's reply " definitely should not have another tenotomy until the components of the clubfoot, except for the equinus, are fully corrected. " I therefore called and spoke to the nurse at Dr. F's surgery. Based on my fussing, we have decided to do another cast tomorrow, instead of the tenotomy, which was scheduled for Wednesday. I still doubt myself though, and feel that my doc is a good one, and would not make a decision that is not the best for . has had a really tough time with the casts. He never cried during the first week, prior to casting. Once the casts were on, he seemed to cry, or rather scream, every waking moment. Cast after cast he was the same, and I put it down to colic. Well since the casts came off (he has had free feet and legs for nearly 2 weeks now) he has been a different baby, smiling and cooing, crying only when tired or hungry. The change has been dramatic. I simply can't bare to think that he may go through more trauma. I know casts are not supposed to be difficult for the baby, but he has definitely found it difficult. I feel like I've been a pain in the neck to our doctor, and that he is totally annoyed with me. Was I right to make a fuss, or should I have trusted him and his experience? and 06/24/04 bc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2004 Report Share Posted September 14, 2004 , you shouldn't feel bad about fussing to your doctor. This is your childs future! You have to keep on top of your gut feeling even if the doctor seems annoyed!! A compassionate doctor shouldn't get annoyed anyway. He should want to hear your concerns and not disregard them just because he doesn't feel they are of importance. Dr P is very educated and I would heed his expertise! Just bite the bullet and let your doctor know your concerns and tell him what Dr P told you! Good luck, let us know what happens!! Mia Addisyn (6.24.04 BL Atypical CF) Cody 2.6.01 linda07033 linda07033@...> wrote: had great difficulty with the DBB, and it was because his heel could not go down into the shoe. Our doctor felt it was necessary to do another tenotomy, this time under general anaesthetic. I agreed that it was probably the best decision. However, I wanted a second opinion, so I emailed photos of his feet to Dr. Ponseti. He replied first thing the next day, and said that 's feet were not yet fully corrected. Now I don't know if this was because 's feet had been out of the cast and boots for a few days already, and he had lost correction, or if the casts had come off too early. However, based on this, I fussed over whether or not to go ahead with the surgery. I just kept seeing the last line of Dr. Ponseti's reply " definitely should not have another tenotomy until the components of the clubfoot, except for the equinus, are fully corrected. " I therefore called and spoke to the nurse at Dr. F's surgery. Based on my fussing, we have decided to do another cast tomorrow, instead of the tenotomy, which was scheduled for Wednesday. I still doubt myself though, and feel that my doc is a good one, and would not make a decision that is not the best for . has had a really tough time with the casts. He never cried during the first week, prior to casting. Once the casts were on, he seemed to cry, or rather scream, every waking moment. Cast after cast he was the same, and I put it down to colic. Well since the casts came off (he has had free feet and legs for nearly 2 weeks now) he has been a different baby, smiling and cooing, crying only when tired or hungry. The change has been dramatic. I simply can't bare to think that he may go through more trauma. I know casts are not supposed to be difficult for the baby, but he has definitely found it difficult. I feel like I've been a pain in the neck to our doctor, and that he is totally annoyed with me. Was I right to make a fuss, or should I have trusted him and his experience? and 06/24/04 bc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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