Guest guest Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 I don't know if one's better than the other. The adjustable bar is what we've always used, and it seems to be the preferred option by doctors (we got ours fitted by Dr Ponseti). What's great about it being adjustable is that it comes with tools and you can easily widen it yourself when necessary. The only problem we had is grew out of the biggest one, but our local orthotist got an engineering shop to 'extend' them by welding on some new ends and respraying. They work great and will last until he's 14 now if necessary! It sounds to me like this might be your problem with his recent sleeping discomfort, that the bar has got too small. They really grow fast in the first year. and www.clubfoot.co.za Adjustable bar? We have the gold bar and I am wondering if I should request an adjustable bar since my son is growing so fast. Is one better than the other? At 02:38 PM 8/17/2004 +0200, you wrote: >, > >I really sympathise, it's so hard when you can't get them to sleep and >you're also sleep deprived. has been in his FAB for 15 months now >and it really hasn't been too difficult an adjustment, so don't be >discouraged, it will get better once you've found what suits him best. > >When started in his FAB it took him a full 48 hours to adjust to >them at night. He kept on waking up - very angry - every hour or so. I >found it was best to sleep with him lying stomach to stomach on me, >still waking every 2 hours or so. We did this for two nights until he >adjusted and could sleep on his own again. During this time, we also >gave him Calpol before bedtime, a mild pain reliever (paracetamol) to >help him with the irritation he was feeling. > >My troubleshooting tips: > >First rule out any discomfort from the shoes caused by the feet not >being fully corrected initially, or blisters from the shoes not being >fitted correctly and the heel moving inside the shoe. > >You'll probably see this if his heel doesn't sit nicely flat inside the >shoe. Try unlacing the shoes completely once, taking out the flap so >you can hold the shoe open and see how his foot sits in the shoe. For >the first few days of shoe fitting, I drew a line across where his toes >reached with a pen so I could see that I had his foot in properly. If >he has bad red or purple marks that don't disappear after a few hours, >there's pressure somewhere that's bothering and could possibly cause >blisters. We were lucky that this never happened to . > >Then check that the bar width is comfortable for him. We do our >measurement from outside heel to heel = shoulder width, but the written >instructions from Iowa are to use the measurement between the centre >bolts (under the heel) = shoulder width. You'll have to experiment and >see what suits him best. has always been heel to heel so he's >probably got used to it, but I know that all the new babies being >treated here in South Africa are having bolt to bolt fitted from the >start and are comfortable. It's really quite amazing the difference >having the correct bar length makes. Whenever we've needed to adjust >it, is immediately more comfortable and sleeps through again. > >We moved out of his crib after a few months because as he got more >agile and moved around a lot more, he would get the bar stuck between >the bars at night, get frustrated and wake up crying. He has slept in a >big travel cot (pack & play type) since he was 11 months old. We >discovered this worked while on holiday in December, when he slept like >a dream, so we never took him out of it again. I sold his original crib >in January! We put in a thicker cot mattress to make it more >comfortable for him. It works really well, because he leans his shoes >against the sides of the cot and sleeps in the strangest positions but >he's always comfortable! We'll keep him in this until it gets too small >and he can move to a bed. > >Some babies are naturally difficult sleepers, FAB or not. We were lucky >that was an easy baby. But at any time that he has had sleeping >troubles (unless he's teething or sick), it's usually been the bar width >needing to be adjusted or needing bigger shoes because his feet have >grown, or adjusting to the new size shoes (anything different in the >FAB routine seems to bug him for the first night). > >I don't know how far you are down the line in his FAB wear, but we were >also told to use two pairs of thin socks for the first three days out of >casts, which helped. Also, not to put any cream on his feet at all even >if the skin seems dry because it's uncomfortable for them and can cause >sliding in the shoe. > >As far as propping up with pillows, we were told to do this when he was >in casts (putting a rolled up towel under the knee stops the heel from >having too much pressure) but we have never used anything to support the >FAB. He seems to dislike any restrictions in the bed and enjoys the >freedom of swinging his bar until he gets into a comfortable position. >Usually he either sleeps like a frog on his tummy, with feet pulled up >under and knees bent, or lying on his side against the side of the cot, >resting the upper foot against the side. > >We were told by the Iowa staff to make the FAB part of his sleep routine >from the start and never to change that routine (not to take it off if >he cries, etc - obviously once you have ruled out any bad discomfort >that could cause blisters). So, since was little I put his shoes >on when he's having his last milk at night, and ready to wind down a >little. Now that he's older, the FAB has become so much a part of our >routine, that it's become a signal for bedtime, he brings me his shoes >and as I start putting them on he starts to get sleepy, which really >helps now that he's a very active 18 month old toddler! > >All babies are different, but I hope that some of this has helped you. > >Good luck > > and >24th Jan 2003 bilateral cf, treated by Dr Ponseti >www.clubfoot.co.za > > > " L. Zezzo " sxc168@...> wrote: >My son is having such a difficult time getting himself to sleep with the > >DBB. Do you have any suggestions such as propping his legs up with >.pillows? (I am doing this now and he is screaming as I type). If >anyone >has any tricks up their sleeves, please share. >Thanks! > and Cole (bi-lateral clubfeet and 33 weeker) > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 It depends on whether or not you still need to take the shoes off the bar. When Darbi was little I took them off all the time to put her in a jumper or shopping cart or whatever... not to mention that I took them off the bar at first after her sore just to make sure the heels were good and down in the shoes. So for us, using the gold bar was a good choice. Angel sent me her old red adjustable bar (Kai is in the brace now) and by that time (she was maybe 13mo IIRC) I had stopped taking the shoes off the bar for just about any reason. So it's worked really well for us in that respect. But it's a PITA to get these shoes on the adjustable bar, totally different attachment mechanism. So I only take them off if I need to replace the padding. What I don't get is why there's so many different bars? Why isn't there one adjustable bar that the shoes can be taken off and put back on easily? We used the gold non-adjustable bars for a long time. They worked perfectly fine except if you consider that only every once in a while is the bar just perfect with the shoulder width. All the rest of the time essentially it's too small or too short. But the difference is negligible in our experience. As long as it's not excessively too small or too long it seems to be just fine. Also, consider that there are two clamps that hold the red adjustable bar together, and it's possible to damage these while walking around in the brace. They can be replaced of course. The gold bar is nice and smooth for wandering. Just a couple things to consider about changing bars. FWIW I like the red bar. I've only had it a few months but so far I like that I can actually know it's the right size for her. I tried to show it to the orthotics guy at Shriners here in Portland and I don't think he'd ever seen it before. He thought it was the red non-adjustable bar and apparently they had problems with babies breaking the bolts off the sole plates with these. But he got busy so I wasn't able to really show it to him well. I have to go and order Darbi some new shoes AGAIN grrr... By the time they get here she'll be out of the 3's she JUST GOT a month and a half ago. No more half size increases for us. Each new pair is going to be a whole size larger from now on. grumble... Kori Mama of Kenton 6/98 Merek 3/00 Darbi 3/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/day (¨`·.·´¨) `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) `·.¸.·´ At 05:53 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: >We have the gold bar and I am wondering if I should request an adjustable >bar since my son is growing so fast. Is one better than the other? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 Great info, thanks, maybe I should look into the brace too? At 09:18 AM 8/17/2004 -0700, you wrote: >It depends on whether or not you still need to take the shoes off the >bar. When Darbi was little I took them off all the time to put her in a >jumper or shopping cart or whatever... not to mention that I took them off >the bar at first after her sore just to make sure the heels were good and >down in the shoes. So for us, using the gold bar was a good choice. Angel >sent me her old red adjustable bar (Kai is in the brace now) and >by that time (she was maybe 13mo IIRC) I had stopped taking the shoes off >the bar for just about any reason. So it's worked really well for us in >that respect. But it's a PITA to get these shoes on the adjustable bar, >totally different attachment mechanism. So I only take them off if I need >to replace the padding. What I don't get is why there's so many different >bars? Why isn't there one adjustable bar that the shoes can be taken off >and put back on easily? > >We used the gold non-adjustable bars for a long time. They worked >perfectly fine except if you consider that only every once in a while is >the bar just perfect with the shoulder width. All the rest of the time >essentially it's too small or too short. But the difference is negligible >in our experience. As long as it's not excessively too small or too long >it seems to be just fine. Also, consider that there are two clamps that >hold the red adjustable bar together, and it's possible to damage these >while walking around in the brace. They can be replaced of course. The >gold bar is nice and smooth for wandering. Just a couple things to >consider about changing bars. > >FWIW I like the red bar. I've only had it a few months but so far I like >that I can actually know it's the right size for her. I tried to show it >to the orthotics guy at Shriners here in Portland and I don't think he'd >ever seen it before. He thought it was the red non-adjustable bar and >apparently they had problems with babies breaking the bolts off the sole >plates with these. But he got busy so I wasn't able to really show it to >him well. I have to go and order Darbi some new shoes AGAIN grrr... By >the time they get here she'll be out of the 3's she JUST GOT a month and a >half ago. No more half size increases for us. Each new pair is going to >be a whole size larger from now on. grumble... > > > >Kori >Mama of >Kenton 6/98 >Merek 3/00 >Darbi 3/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/day > (¨`·.·´¨) > `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) > `·.¸.·´ > > > > >At 05:53 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: > >We have the gold bar and I am wondering if I should request an adjustable > >bar since my son is growing so fast. Is one better than the other? > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 There are a few issues with the brace, and not evil ones... just things to consider. First off, cost. $350 is a lot of money when they go through the shoes so quickly. And second, the is designed for the tiny footlets so the shoes are small. He had to make a special pair for Kai because his feet were too big, and he wasn't older than 12mo at the time IIRC. So apparently there comes a point where they're too small anyway. He can make them larger, and will but if the Markells are working for you they are a much cheaper and easier to obtain option. Personally I like them for a crawler or walker because they're nice and heavy duty - the birkenstock style with suede won't be able to hold up well with the abuse a crawler/walker will put on them as well. I would love to have them personally, but I don't need them. And I think she'd ruin them anyway. I am however interested in this brace Dr. Dobbs is working on. It sounds interesting! Kori At 09:41 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: >Great info, thanks, maybe I should look into the brace too? > >At 09:18 AM 8/17/2004 -0700, you wrote: > >It depends on whether or not you still need to take the shoes off the > >bar. When Darbi was little I took them off all the time to put her in a > >jumper or shopping cart or whatever... not to mention that I took them off > >the bar at first after her sore just to make sure the heels were good and > >down in the shoes. So for us, using the gold bar was a good choice. Angel > >sent me her old red adjustable bar (Kai is in the brace now) and > >by that time (she was maybe 13mo IIRC) I had stopped taking the shoes off > >the bar for just about any reason. So it's worked really well for us in > >that respect. But it's a PITA to get these shoes on the adjustable bar, > >totally different attachment mechanism. So I only take them off if I need > >to replace the padding. What I don't get is why there's so many different > >bars? Why isn't there one adjustable bar that the shoes can be taken off > >and put back on easily? > > > >We used the gold non-adjustable bars for a long time. They worked > >perfectly fine except if you consider that only every once in a while is > >the bar just perfect with the shoulder width. All the rest of the time > >essentially it's too small or too short. But the difference is negligible > >in our experience. As long as it's not excessively too small or too long > >it seems to be just fine. Also, consider that there are two clamps that > >hold the red adjustable bar together, and it's possible to damage these > >while walking around in the brace. They can be replaced of course. The > >gold bar is nice and smooth for wandering. Just a couple things to > >consider about changing bars. > > > >FWIW I like the red bar. I've only had it a few months but so far I like > >that I can actually know it's the right size for her. I tried to show it > >to the orthotics guy at Shriners here in Portland and I don't think he'd > >ever seen it before. He thought it was the red non-adjustable bar and > >apparently they had problems with babies breaking the bolts off the sole > >plates with these. But he got busy so I wasn't able to really show it to > >him well. I have to go and order Darbi some new shoes AGAIN grrr... By > >the time they get here she'll be out of the 3's she JUST GOT a month and a > >half ago. No more half size increases for us. Each new pair is going to > >be a whole size larger from now on. grumble... > > > > > > > >Kori > >Mama of > >Kenton 6/98 > >Merek 3/00 > >Darbi 3/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/day > > (¨`·.·´¨) > > `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) > > `·.¸.·´ > > > > > > > > > >At 05:53 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: > > >We have the gold bar and I am wondering if I should request an adjustable > > >bar since my son is growing so fast. Is one better than the other? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 I agree it would have been helpful in the beginning if the shoe came off the bar easily, but by the same token I found it so simple to just buckle the three straps rather than deal with ten feel of shoe string it's never been much of a problem after the first week or so - most of that was my own user-error, haha. s. It depends on whether or not you still need to take the shoes off the bar. When Darbi was little I took them off all the time to put her in a jumper or shopping cart or whatever... not to mention that I took them off the bar at first after her sore just to make sure the heels were good and down in the shoes. So for us, using the gold bar was a good choice. Angel sent me her old red adjustable bar (Kai is in the brace now) and by that time (she was maybe 13mo IIRC) I had stopped taking the shoes off the bar for just about any reason. So it's worked really well for us in that respect. But it's a PITA to get these shoes on the adjustable bar, totally different attachment mechanism. So I only take them off if I need to replace the padding. What I don't get is why there's so many different bars? Why isn't there one adjustable bar that the shoes can be taken off and put back on easily? We used the gold non-adjustable bars for a long time. They worked perfectly fine except if you consider that only every once in a while is the bar just perfect with the shoulder width. All the rest of the time essentially it's too small or too short. But the difference is negligible in our experience. As long as it's not excessively too small or too long it seems to be just fine. Also, consider that there are two clamps that hold the red adjustable bar together, and it's possible to damage these while walking around in the brace. They can be replaced of course. The gold bar is nice and smooth for wandering. Just a couple things to consider about changing bars. FWIW I like the red bar. I've only had it a few months but so far I like that I can actually know it's the right size for her. I tried to show it to the orthotics guy at Shriners here in Portland and I don't think he'd ever seen it before. He thought it was the red non-adjustable bar and apparently they had problems with babies breaking the bolts off the sole plates with these. But he got busy so I wasn't able to really show it to him well. I have to go and order Darbi some new shoes AGAIN grrr... By the time they get here she'll be out of the 3's she JUST GOT a month and a half ago. No more half size increases for us. Each new pair is going to be a whole size larger from now on. grumble... Kori Mama of Kenton 6/98 Merek 3/00 Darbi 3/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/day (¨`·.·´¨) `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) `·.¸.·´ At 05:53 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: >We have the gold bar and I am wondering if I should request an adjustable >bar since my son is growing so fast. Is one better than the other? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 If you don't have issues with the Markell shoe causing trouble, then the shoe is entirely up to you. It costs more but I love Everett's shoes and wouldn't go back to the Markells unless I was really desperate. 's shoes are hard to remove from the (adjustable) bar - but they are so easy to take off and put on the baby's foot that being attached to the bar while you apply them really isn't difficult after you practice it a few times. And to change their britches, just take one shoe off, slip the pants over the other shoe, three buckles and the shoe is back on - no harder than putting on any other normal baby shoe. One word of caution regarding the shoe - DON'T LET YOU BABY CRAWL OUT ON THE PATIO (or across the garage floor, etc.) as it will wear down the toe in about three steps! Yes, I found out the hard way but luckily discovered the wearing-down before it damaged the shoe too far. s. Re: Adjustable bar? Great info, thanks, maybe I should look into the brace too? At 09:18 AM 8/17/2004 -0700, you wrote: >It depends on whether or not you still need to take the shoes off the >bar. When Darbi was little I took them off all the time to put her in a >jumper or shopping cart or whatever... not to mention that I took them off >the bar at first after her sore just to make sure the heels were good and >down in the shoes. So for us, using the gold bar was a good choice. Angel >sent me her old red adjustable bar (Kai is in the brace now) and >by that time (she was maybe 13mo IIRC) I had stopped taking the shoes off >the bar for just about any reason. So it's worked really well for us in >that respect. But it's a PITA to get these shoes on the adjustable bar, >totally different attachment mechanism. So I only take them off if I need >to replace the padding. What I don't get is why there's so many different >bars? Why isn't there one adjustable bar that the shoes can be taken off >and put back on easily? > >We used the gold non-adjustable bars for a long time. They worked >perfectly fine except if you consider that only every once in a while is >the bar just perfect with the shoulder width. All the rest of the time >essentially it's too small or too short. But the difference is negligible >in our experience. As long as it's not excessively too small or too long >it seems to be just fine. Also, consider that there are two clamps that >hold the red adjustable bar together, and it's possible to damage these >while walking around in the brace. They can be replaced of course. The >gold bar is nice and smooth for wandering. Just a couple things to >consider about changing bars. > >FWIW I like the red bar. I've only had it a few months but so far I like >that I can actually know it's the right size for her. I tried to show it >to the orthotics guy at Shriners here in Portland and I don't think he'd >ever seen it before. He thought it was the red non-adjustable bar and >apparently they had problems with babies breaking the bolts off the sole >plates with these. But he got busy so I wasn't able to really show it to >him well. I have to go and order Darbi some new shoes AGAIN grrr... By >the time they get here she'll be out of the 3's she JUST GOT a month and a >half ago. No more half size increases for us. Each new pair is going to >be a whole size larger from now on. grumble... > > > >Kori >Mama of >Kenton 6/98 >Merek 3/00 >Darbi 3/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/day > (¨`·.·´¨) > `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) > `·.¸.·´ > > > > >At 05:53 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: > >We have the gold bar and I am wondering if I should request an adjustable > >bar since my son is growing so fast. Is one better than the other? > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 While I do agree with your points regarding price, and no sense spending money on a shoe if a cheaper version is available, but my son is turning 11 months old in a couple days - an obvious walker/crawler and I don't agree that shoes don't hold up. When I first got the shoes I thought No way these will hold up! I thought the suede would wear out or stretch out, etc.... but they have held up remarkably well! We are a very outdoorsy family - believe me, these shoes take a beating around here. I mentioned a moment ago about not crawling across concrete with them on - but now I just slip a larger pair of wore out socks over the shoes (my older son has plenty to spare! haha) so Everett can go out in the shop with me while I work, this prevents the concrete from wearing down the toe section. s. Re: Adjustable bar? There are a few issues with the brace, and not evil ones... just things to consider. First off, cost. $350 is a lot of money when they go through the shoes so quickly. And second, the is designed for the tiny footlets so the shoes are small. He had to make a special pair for Kai because his feet were too big, and he wasn't older than 12mo at the time IIRC. So apparently there comes a point where they're too small anyway. He can make them larger, and will but if the Markells are working for you they are a much cheaper and easier to obtain option. Personally I like them for a crawler or walker because they're nice and heavy duty - the birkenstock style with suede won't be able to hold up well with the abuse a crawler/walker will put on them as well. I would love to have them personally, but I don't need them. And I think she'd ruin them anyway. I am however interested in this brace Dr. Dobbs is working on. It sounds interesting! Kori At 09:41 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: >Great info, thanks, maybe I should look into the brace too? > >At 09:18 AM 8/17/2004 -0700, you wrote: > >It depends on whether or not you still need to take the shoes off the > >bar. When Darbi was little I took them off all the time to put her in a > >jumper or shopping cart or whatever... not to mention that I took them off > >the bar at first after her sore just to make sure the heels were good and > >down in the shoes. So for us, using the gold bar was a good choice. Angel > >sent me her old red adjustable bar (Kai is in the brace now) and > >by that time (she was maybe 13mo IIRC) I had stopped taking the shoes off > >the bar for just about any reason. So it's worked really well for us in > >that respect. But it's a PITA to get these shoes on the adjustable bar, > >totally different attachment mechanism. So I only take them off if I need > >to replace the padding. What I don't get is why there's so many different > >bars? Why isn't there one adjustable bar that the shoes can be taken off > >and put back on easily? > > > >We used the gold non-adjustable bars for a long time. They worked > >perfectly fine except if you consider that only every once in a while is > >the bar just perfect with the shoulder width. All the rest of the time > >essentially it's too small or too short. But the difference is negligible > >in our experience. As long as it's not excessively too small or too long > >it seems to be just fine. Also, consider that there are two clamps that > >hold the red adjustable bar together, and it's possible to damage these > >while walking around in the brace. They can be replaced of course. The > >gold bar is nice and smooth for wandering. Just a couple things to > >consider about changing bars. > > > >FWIW I like the red bar. I've only had it a few months but so far I like > >that I can actually know it's the right size for her. I tried to show it > >to the orthotics guy at Shriners here in Portland and I don't think he'd > >ever seen it before. He thought it was the red non-adjustable bar and > >apparently they had problems with babies breaking the bolts off the sole > >plates with these. But he got busy so I wasn't able to really show it to > >him well. I have to go and order Darbi some new shoes AGAIN grrr... By > >the time they get here she'll be out of the 3's she JUST GOT a month and a > >half ago. No more half size increases for us. Each new pair is going to > >be a whole size larger from now on. grumble... > > > > > > > >Kori > >Mama of > >Kenton 6/98 > >Merek 3/00 > >Darbi 3/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/day > > (¨`·.·´¨) > > `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) > > `·.¸.·´ > > > > > > > > > >At 05:53 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: > > >We have the gold bar and I am wondering if I should request an adjustable > > >bar since my son is growing so fast. Is one better than the other? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 Thank you for the information, it is appreciated. At 09:58 AM 8/18/2004 -0500, you wrote: >While I do agree with your points regarding price, and no sense spending >money on a shoe if a cheaper version is available, but my son is turning >11 months old in a couple days - an obvious walker/crawler and I don't >agree that shoes don't hold up. When I first got the >shoes I thought No way these will hold up! I thought the suede would wear >out or stretch out, etc.... but they have held up remarkably well! We >are a very outdoorsy family - believe me, these shoes take a beating >around here. I mentioned a moment ago about not crawling across concrete >with them on - but now I just slip a larger pair of wore out socks over >the shoes (my older son has plenty to spare! haha) so Everett can go out >in the shop with me while I work, this prevents the concrete from wearing >down the toe section. >s. > > > > Re: Adjustable bar? > > >There are a few issues with the brace, and not evil ones... just >things to consider. First off, cost. $350 is a lot of money when they go >through the shoes so quickly. And second, the is designed for the >tiny footlets so the shoes are small. He had to make a special pair for >Kai because his feet were too big, and he wasn't older than 12mo at the >time IIRC. So apparently there comes a point where they're too small >anyway. He can make them larger, and will but if the Markells are working >for you they are a much cheaper and easier to obtain option. Personally I >like them for a crawler or walker because they're nice and heavy duty - the >birkenstock style with suede won't be able to hold up well with the abuse a >crawler/walker will put on them as well. > >I would love to have them personally, but I don't need them. And I think >she'd ruin them anyway. I am however interested in this brace Dr. Dobbs is >working on. It sounds interesting! > >Kori > > > > > At 09:41 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: > >Great info, thanks, maybe I should look into the brace too? > > > >At 09:18 AM 8/17/2004 -0700, you wrote: > > >It depends on whether or not you still need to take the shoes off the > > >bar. When Darbi was little I took them off all the time to put her in a > > >jumper or shopping cart or whatever... not to mention that I took > them off > > >the bar at first after her sore just to make sure the heels were good and > > >down in the shoes. So for us, using the gold bar was a good > choice. Angel > > >sent me her old red adjustable bar (Kai is in the brace now) and > > >by that time (she was maybe 13mo IIRC) I had stopped taking the shoes off > > >the bar for just about any reason. So it's worked really well for us in > > >that respect. But it's a PITA to get these shoes on the adjustable bar, > > >totally different attachment mechanism. So I only take them off if I need > > >to replace the padding. What I don't get is why there's so many different > > >bars? Why isn't there one adjustable bar that the shoes can be taken off > > >and put back on easily? > > > > > >We used the gold non-adjustable bars for a long time. They worked > > >perfectly fine except if you consider that only every once in a while is > > >the bar just perfect with the shoulder width. All the rest of the time > > >essentially it's too small or too short. But the difference is negligible > > >in our experience. As long as it's not excessively too small or too long > > >it seems to be just fine. Also, consider that there are two clamps that > > >hold the red adjustable bar together, and it's possible to damage these > > >while walking around in the brace. They can be replaced of course. The > > >gold bar is nice and smooth for wandering. Just a couple things to > > >consider about changing bars. > > > > > >FWIW I like the red bar. I've only had it a few months but so far I like > > >that I can actually know it's the right size for her. I tried to show it > > >to the orthotics guy at Shriners here in Portland and I don't think he'd > > >ever seen it before. He thought it was the red non-adjustable bar and > > >apparently they had problems with babies breaking the bolts off the sole > > >plates with these. But he got busy so I wasn't able to really show it to > > >him well. I have to go and order Darbi some new shoes AGAIN grrr... By > > >the time they get here she'll be out of the 3's she JUST GOT a month and a > > >half ago. No more half size increases for us. Each new pair is going to > > >be a whole size larger from now on. grumble... > > > > > > > > > > > >Kori > > >Mama of > > >Kenton 6/98 > > >Merek 3/00 > > >Darbi 3/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/day > > > (¨`·.·´¨) > > > `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) > > > `·.¸.·´ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >At 05:53 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: > > > >We have the gold bar and I am wondering if I should request an > adjustable > > > >bar since my son is growing so fast. Is one better than the other? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 I suppose I should have clarified that I don't actually KNOW they won't hold up lol. I don't have any experience to say that actually. So this is nice to know. I would love to see these in the larger sizes because some people are just going to want them no matter what they cost. But the Markell shoes really are very good shoes, and the sole is very heavy duty and does hold up, I think you could take a grinder to them and they'd still function! I think these shoes get a bad rap because of the problems some people have (again, typically user error or uncorrected feet), and they look very old fashioned so they look *archaic*. But I actually like them. Of course you know this, I've said it before, but one does not have to deal with miles of laces if you knot the ends so they don't pull out. lol, I can imagine how frustrating that would be! I can get her shoes on pretty quickly now, of course I've been putting them on every day for well over a year now too. But buckles only would be much easier it seems. You know, one thing I love about you (amongst others) is that you have never been one to not be able to admit you might have done something wrong or you didn't know or whatever and look to the future for better options for your children (not that the laces thing was *wrong*, if no one had told me I wouldn't have known either!). It really takes a strong soul to come here and admit their child's treatment wasn't the best and warn people about it. You are a true inspiration. Now if I knew you name... :~} Kori At 07:58 AM 8/18/2004, you wrote: >While I do agree with your points regarding price, and no sense spending >money on a shoe if a cheaper version is available, but my son is turning >11 months old in a couple days - an obvious walker/crawler and I don't >agree that shoes don't hold up. When I first got the >shoes I thought No way these will hold up! I thought the suede would wear >out or stretch out, etc.... but they have held up remarkably well! We >are a very outdoorsy family - believe me, these shoes take a beating >around here. I mentioned a moment ago about not crawling across concrete >with them on - but now I just slip a larger pair of wore out socks over >the shoes (my older son has plenty to spare! haha) so Everett can go out >in the shop with me while I work, this prevents the concrete from wearing >down the toe section. >s. > > > > Re: Adjustable bar? > > >There are a few issues with the brace, and not evil ones... just >things to consider. First off, cost. $350 is a lot of money when they go >through the shoes so quickly. And second, the is designed for the >tiny footlets so the shoes are small. He had to make a special pair for >Kai because his feet were too big, and he wasn't older than 12mo at the >time IIRC. So apparently there comes a point where they're too small >anyway. He can make them larger, and will but if the Markells are working >for you they are a much cheaper and easier to obtain option. Personally I >like them for a crawler or walker because they're nice and heavy duty - the >birkenstock style with suede won't be able to hold up well with the abuse a >crawler/walker will put on them as well. > >I would love to have them personally, but I don't need them. And I think >she'd ruin them anyway. I am however interested in this brace Dr. Dobbs is >working on. It sounds interesting! > >Kori > > > > > At 09:41 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: > >Great info, thanks, maybe I should look into the brace too? > > > >At 09:18 AM 8/17/2004 -0700, you wrote: > > >It depends on whether or not you still need to take the shoes off the > > >bar. When Darbi was little I took them off all the time to put her in a > > >jumper or shopping cart or whatever... not to mention that I took > them off > > >the bar at first after her sore just to make sure the heels were good and > > >down in the shoes. So for us, using the gold bar was a good > choice. Angel > > >sent me her old red adjustable bar (Kai is in the brace now) and > > >by that time (she was maybe 13mo IIRC) I had stopped taking the shoes off > > >the bar for just about any reason. So it's worked really well for us in > > >that respect. But it's a PITA to get these shoes on the adjustable bar, > > >totally different attachment mechanism. So I only take them off if I need > > >to replace the padding. What I don't get is why there's so many different > > >bars? Why isn't there one adjustable bar that the shoes can be taken off > > >and put back on easily? > > > > > >We used the gold non-adjustable bars for a long time. They worked > > >perfectly fine except if you consider that only every once in a while is > > >the bar just perfect with the shoulder width. All the rest of the time > > >essentially it's too small or too short. But the difference is negligible > > >in our experience. As long as it's not excessively too small or too long > > >it seems to be just fine. Also, consider that there are two clamps that > > >hold the red adjustable bar together, and it's possible to damage these > > >while walking around in the brace. They can be replaced of course. The > > >gold bar is nice and smooth for wandering. Just a couple things to > > >consider about changing bars. > > > > > >FWIW I like the red bar. I've only had it a few months but so far I like > > >that I can actually know it's the right size for her. I tried to show it > > >to the orthotics guy at Shriners here in Portland and I don't think he'd > > >ever seen it before. He thought it was the red non-adjustable bar and > > >apparently they had problems with babies breaking the bolts off the sole > > >plates with these. But he got busy so I wasn't able to really show it to > > >him well. I have to go and order Darbi some new shoes AGAIN grrr... By > > >the time they get here she'll be out of the 3's she JUST GOT a month and a > > >half ago. No more half size increases for us. Each new pair is going to > > >be a whole size larger from now on. grumble... > > > > > > > > > > > >Kori > > >Mama of > > >Kenton 6/98 > > >Merek 3/00 > > >Darbi 3/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/day > > > (¨`·.·´¨) > > > `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) > > > `·.¸.·´ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >At 05:53 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: > > > >We have the gold bar and I am wondering if I should request an > adjustable > > > >bar since my son is growing so fast. Is one better than the other? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 the name thing again, sorry, I'm ee.... I'm pretty sure it was either Mom's idea of a joke, or else I just blame it on the whole '60s era she was living in when I came along. I had the Markell shoes to begin with on Everett but for what ever reason they put terrible pressure sores on his heels, we tried two pairs with same results. Dr. Ponseti works on Everett so I can't see poor correction being the culprit, perhaps it ws user error or the size of his teeny tiny feet. I agree teh Markells are very durable adn even " cute " - and if I have to, I'd try them again if the 's don't come big enough in the future. I think it ends up being what ever you get used to using as far as ease of application goes. s. Re: Adjustable bar? > > >There are a few issues with the brace, and not evil ones... just >things to consider. First off, cost. $350 is a lot of money when they go >through the shoes so quickly. And second, the is designed for the >tiny footlets so the shoes are small. He had to make a special pair for >Kai because his feet were too big, and he wasn't older than 12mo at the >time IIRC. So apparently there comes a point where they're too small >anyway. He can make them larger, and will but if the Markells are working >for you they are a much cheaper and easier to obtain option. Personally I >like them for a crawler or walker because they're nice and heavy duty - the >birkenstock style with suede won't be able to hold up well with the abuse a >crawler/walker will put on them as well. > >I would love to have them personally, but I don't need them. And I think >she'd ruin them anyway. I am however interested in this brace Dr. Dobbs is >working on. It sounds interesting! > >Kori > > > > > At 09:41 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: > >Great info, thanks, maybe I should look into the brace too? > > > >At 09:18 AM 8/17/2004 -0700, you wrote: > > >It depends on whether or not you still need to take the shoes off the > > >bar. When Darbi was little I took them off all the time to put her in a > > >jumper or shopping cart or whatever... not to mention that I took > them off > > >the bar at first after her sore just to make sure the heels were good and > > >down in the shoes. So for us, using the gold bar was a good > choice. Angel > > >sent me her old red adjustable bar (Kai is in the brace now) and > > >by that time (she was maybe 13mo IIRC) I had stopped taking the shoes off > > >the bar for just about any reason. So it's worked really well for us in > > >that respect. But it's a PITA to get these shoes on the adjustable bar, > > >totally different attachment mechanism. So I only take them off if I need > > >to replace the padding. What I don't get is why there's so many different > > >bars? Why isn't there one adjustable bar that the shoes can be taken off > > >and put back on easily? > > > > > >We used the gold non-adjustable bars for a long time. They worked > > >perfectly fine except if you consider that only every once in a while is > > >the bar just perfect with the shoulder width. All the rest of the time > > >essentially it's too small or too short. But the difference is negligible > > >in our experience. As long as it's not excessively too small or too long > > >it seems to be just fine. Also, consider that there are two clamps that > > >hold the red adjustable bar together, and it's possible to damage these > > >while walking around in the brace. They can be replaced of course. The > > >gold bar is nice and smooth for wandering. Just a couple things to > > >consider about changing bars. > > > > > >FWIW I like the red bar. I've only had it a few months but so far I like > > >that I can actually know it's the right size for her. I tried to show it > > >to the orthotics guy at Shriners here in Portland and I don't think he'd > > >ever seen it before. He thought it was the red non-adjustable bar and > > >apparently they had problems with babies breaking the bolts off the sole > > >plates with these. But he got busy so I wasn't able to really show it to > > >him well. I have to go and order Darbi some new shoes AGAIN grrr... By > > >the time they get here she'll be out of the 3's she JUST GOT a month and a > > >half ago. No more half size increases for us. Each new pair is going to > > >be a whole size larger from now on. grumble... > > > > > > > > > > > >Kori > > >Mama of > > >Kenton 6/98 > > >Merek 3/00 > > >Darbi 3/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/day > > > (¨`·.·´¨) > > > `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) > > > `·.¸.·´ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >At 05:53 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: > > > >We have the gold bar and I am wondering if I should request an > adjustable > > > >bar since my son is growing so fast. Is one better than the other? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 the name thing again, sorry, I'm ee.... I'm pretty sure it was either Mom's idea of a joke, or else I just blame it on the whole '60s era she was living in when I came along. I had the Markell shoes to begin with on Everett but for what ever reason they put terrible pressure sores on his heels, we tried two pairs with same results. Dr. Ponseti works on Everett so I can't see poor correction being the culprit, perhaps it ws user error or the size of his teeny tiny feet. I agree teh Markells are very durable adn even " cute " - and if I have to, I'd try them again if the 's don't come big enough in the future. I think it ends up being what ever you get used to using as far as ease of application goes. s. Re: Adjustable bar? > > >There are a few issues with the brace, and not evil ones... just >things to consider. First off, cost. $350 is a lot of money when they go >through the shoes so quickly. And second, the is designed for the >tiny footlets so the shoes are small. He had to make a special pair for >Kai because his feet were too big, and he wasn't older than 12mo at the >time IIRC. So apparently there comes a point where they're too small >anyway. He can make them larger, and will but if the Markells are working >for you they are a much cheaper and easier to obtain option. Personally I >like them for a crawler or walker because they're nice and heavy duty - the >birkenstock style with suede won't be able to hold up well with the abuse a >crawler/walker will put on them as well. > >I would love to have them personally, but I don't need them. And I think >she'd ruin them anyway. I am however interested in this brace Dr. Dobbs is >working on. It sounds interesting! > >Kori > > > > > At 09:41 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: > >Great info, thanks, maybe I should look into the brace too? > > > >At 09:18 AM 8/17/2004 -0700, you wrote: > > >It depends on whether or not you still need to take the shoes off the > > >bar. When Darbi was little I took them off all the time to put her in a > > >jumper or shopping cart or whatever... not to mention that I took > them off > > >the bar at first after her sore just to make sure the heels were good and > > >down in the shoes. So for us, using the gold bar was a good > choice. Angel > > >sent me her old red adjustable bar (Kai is in the brace now) and > > >by that time (she was maybe 13mo IIRC) I had stopped taking the shoes off > > >the bar for just about any reason. So it's worked really well for us in > > >that respect. But it's a PITA to get these shoes on the adjustable bar, > > >totally different attachment mechanism. So I only take them off if I need > > >to replace the padding. What I don't get is why there's so many different > > >bars? Why isn't there one adjustable bar that the shoes can be taken off > > >and put back on easily? > > > > > >We used the gold non-adjustable bars for a long time. They worked > > >perfectly fine except if you consider that only every once in a while is > > >the bar just perfect with the shoulder width. All the rest of the time > > >essentially it's too small or too short. But the difference is negligible > > >in our experience. As long as it's not excessively too small or too long > > >it seems to be just fine. Also, consider that there are two clamps that > > >hold the red adjustable bar together, and it's possible to damage these > > >while walking around in the brace. They can be replaced of course. The > > >gold bar is nice and smooth for wandering. Just a couple things to > > >consider about changing bars. > > > > > >FWIW I like the red bar. I've only had it a few months but so far I like > > >that I can actually know it's the right size for her. I tried to show it > > >to the orthotics guy at Shriners here in Portland and I don't think he'd > > >ever seen it before. He thought it was the red non-adjustable bar and > > >apparently they had problems with babies breaking the bolts off the sole > > >plates with these. But he got busy so I wasn't able to really show it to > > >him well. I have to go and order Darbi some new shoes AGAIN grrr... By > > >the time they get here she'll be out of the 3's she JUST GOT a month and a > > >half ago. No more half size increases for us. Each new pair is going to > > >be a whole size larger from now on. grumble... > > > > > > > > > > > >Kori > > >Mama of > > >Kenton 6/98 > > >Merek 3/00 > > >Darbi 3/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/day > > > (¨`·.·´¨) > > > `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) > > > `·.¸.·´ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >At 05:53 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote: > > > >We have the gold bar and I am wondering if I should request an > adjustable > > > >bar since my son is growing so fast. Is one better than the other? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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