Re: Question about foot surgery

[Guest guest]

Darby,

First- congrats on your pregnancy......you're gonna be a busy

momma!

What doctor is Livi seeing?

Did she/he train your husband on how to do the stretching? Some

doctors prescribe stretching (Dr. Ponseti doesn't, however), but you

must make sure that you're doing it properly so that you don't cause

other issues (such as rocker-bottom). If the surgery that he said

she might need is a percutaneous tenotomy, then that is pretty

common. About 80% of the children have them. There are different

types of tenotomies, though, so you'll need to ask questions. Is

there any way you can call your doctor or their assistant to ask some

follow-up questions. I know how difficult it can be to get " Dad " to

feed back info and ask the right questions. Maybe next time you need

to send along a tape recorder with him!

Are her feet staying in the FAB well for you? When is her next

appointment?

& (3-16-00)

left clubfoot, switched to Ponseti method at 4 mo. old

http://ponseticlubfoot.freeservers.com/

> My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is doing

> well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than her

> right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help

lengthen

> her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to have

> surgery. Is this normal?

>

> Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask

questions.

>

> Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

> New baby coming!!! 5/05

[Guest guest]

Darby,

First- congrats on your pregnancy......you're gonna be a busy

momma!

What doctor is Livi seeing?

Did she/he train your husband on how to do the stretching? Some

doctors prescribe stretching (Dr. Ponseti doesn't, however), but you

must make sure that you're doing it properly so that you don't cause

other issues (such as rocker-bottom). If the surgery that he said

she might need is a percutaneous tenotomy, then that is pretty

common. About 80% of the children have them. There are different

types of tenotomies, though, so you'll need to ask questions. Is

there any way you can call your doctor or their assistant to ask some

follow-up questions. I know how difficult it can be to get " Dad " to

feed back info and ask the right questions. Maybe next time you need

to send along a tape recorder with him!

Are her feet staying in the FAB well for you? When is her next

appointment?

& (3-16-00)

left clubfoot, switched to Ponseti method at 4 mo. old

http://ponseticlubfoot.freeservers.com/

> My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is doing

> well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than her

> right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help

lengthen

> her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to have

> surgery. Is this normal?

>

> Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask

questions.

>

> Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

> New baby coming!!! 5/05

[Guest guest]

Darby,

It's common amongst non-true Ponseti Dr's to say this. It's common for a

Dr's who doesn't trust the method to say this. It's common for a doc who

isn't interested in re-casting properly to say this. It is unfortunately

common to hear parents say this here on the lists.

The other common thing is that parents who have received a second opinion

from a Ponseti Dr. (a good one - who doesn't talk surgery with 4 month olds

because there's lots of time and lots of things to do before resorting to

surgery) is that they get corrected without surgery.

Also, what kind of surgery was he talking about? If it was

SURGERY... that's one thing. Get a second opinion. If he's talking about

a tenotomy on a baby who hasn't had one already or who may need a second

one it's a different story.

If I were you, I'd take pictures of Livi's feet and send them to Dr.

Ponseti for his opinion and also ask who he recommends you see in your area.

Congrats on the new baby! You're probably feeling a little sickie right

now huh?

Kori

Darbi - 3/03

DBB 12hr/day

At 01:45 PM 9/22/2004, you wrote:

>My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is doing

>well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than her

>right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help lengthen

>her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to have

>surgery. Is this normal?

>

>Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask questions.

>

>Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

>New baby coming!!! 5/05

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I guess I didn't ask enough questions at the beginning- my Dr. is not

listed on dr ponseti's website, however the head doctor at his clinic

is - I'm assuming he probably trained my doc.

He has always seemed very knowledgeable and calm.. we are at

Children's Hospital in Seattle which has a very good reputation. I'm

wondering if he meant another tenotomy or real surgery. I heard this

a couple weeks ago but just know started really questioning it

(delayed reaction, I know).

Maybe I will send some pics to Dr. Ponseti. I bet everything is

fine, but just to be sure...

Yes, I'm feeling super yucky right now! Haven't told work yet so I'm

trying to hide it!

Darby

> >My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is doing

> >well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than her

> >right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help

lengthen

> >her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to have

> >surgery. Is this normal?

> >

> >Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask

questions.

> >

> >Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

> >New baby coming!!! 5/05

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I guess I didn't ask enough questions at the beginning- my Dr. is not

listed on dr ponseti's website, however the head doctor at his clinic

is - I'm assuming he probably trained my doc.

He has always seemed very knowledgeable and calm.. we are at

Children's Hospital in Seattle which has a very good reputation. I'm

wondering if he meant another tenotomy or real surgery. I heard this

a couple weeks ago but just know started really questioning it

(delayed reaction, I know).

Maybe I will send some pics to Dr. Ponseti. I bet everything is

fine, but just to be sure...

Yes, I'm feeling super yucky right now! Haven't told work yet so I'm

trying to hide it!

Darby

> >My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is doing

> >well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than her

> >right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help

lengthen

> >her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to have

> >surgery. Is this normal?

> >

> >Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask

questions.

> >

> >Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

> >New baby coming!!! 5/05

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I guess I didn't ask enough questions at the beginning- my Dr. is not

listed on dr ponseti's website, however the head doctor at his clinic

is - I'm assuming he probably trained my doc.

He has always seemed very knowledgeable and calm.. we are at

Children's Hospital in Seattle which has a very good reputation. I'm

wondering if he meant another tenotomy or real surgery. I heard this

a couple weeks ago but just know started really questioning it

(delayed reaction, I know).

Maybe I will send some pics to Dr. Ponseti. I bet everything is

fine, but just to be sure...

Yes, I'm feeling super yucky right now! Haven't told work yet so I'm

trying to hide it!

Darby

> >My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is doing

> >well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than her

> >right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help

lengthen

> >her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to have

> >surgery. Is this normal?

> >

> >Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask

questions.

> >

> >Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

> >New baby coming!!! 5/05

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you! We are excited. And I am sick. Yuck.

Livi sees Dr. Schmale here in Seattle, who works with Dr. Mosca. Her

next appt. isn't for a while- I can't remember the exact date. Boy

have we had one heck of a time with her shoes! They were too big,

then they fit fine, then she got a blister, shes been in 3x to get

pads inside the shoe adjusted, her feet either slip out because we

don't get them on tight enough, or the other night- they apparently

were on too tight and she screamed for 3 hours straight before we

realized it was the shoes and not her teeth or a tummy ache. But

when they are on right, they are no problem. She is crawling now and

getting into absolutely everything!

I agree, I really do need to call and ask my own questions!

Thanks for the advice!

Darby, Livi's mama bi cf 3/15/04 dbb 23/7

> > My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is

doing

> > well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than

her

> > right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help

> lengthen

> > her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to

have

> > surgery. Is this normal?

> >

> > Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask

> questions.

> >

> > Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

> > New baby coming!!! 5/05

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you! We are excited. And I am sick. Yuck.

Livi sees Dr. Schmale here in Seattle, who works with Dr. Mosca. Her

next appt. isn't for a while- I can't remember the exact date. Boy

have we had one heck of a time with her shoes! They were too big,

then they fit fine, then she got a blister, shes been in 3x to get

pads inside the shoe adjusted, her feet either slip out because we

don't get them on tight enough, or the other night- they apparently

were on too tight and she screamed for 3 hours straight before we

realized it was the shoes and not her teeth or a tummy ache. But

when they are on right, they are no problem. She is crawling now and

getting into absolutely everything!

I agree, I really do need to call and ask my own questions!

Thanks for the advice!

Darby, Livi's mama bi cf 3/15/04 dbb 23/7

> > My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is

doing

> > well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than

her

> > right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help

> lengthen

> > her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to

have

> > surgery. Is this normal?

> >

> > Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask

> questions.

> >

> > Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

> > New baby coming!!! 5/05

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you! We are excited. And I am sick. Yuck.

Livi sees Dr. Schmale here in Seattle, who works with Dr. Mosca. Her

next appt. isn't for a while- I can't remember the exact date. Boy

have we had one heck of a time with her shoes! They were too big,

then they fit fine, then she got a blister, shes been in 3x to get

pads inside the shoe adjusted, her feet either slip out because we

don't get them on tight enough, or the other night- they apparently

were on too tight and she screamed for 3 hours straight before we

realized it was the shoes and not her teeth or a tummy ache. But

when they are on right, they are no problem. She is crawling now and

getting into absolutely everything!

I agree, I really do need to call and ask my own questions!

Thanks for the advice!

Darby, Livi's mama bi cf 3/15/04 dbb 23/7

> > My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is

doing

> > well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than

her

> > right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help

> lengthen

> > her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to

have

> > surgery. Is this normal?

> >

> > Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask

> questions.

> >

> > Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

> > New baby coming!!! 5/05

[Guest guest]

Hi Darby,

Just wanted to say congrats on the new baby news

Marilouise

9/9/03, LCF, DBB 23/7

Owen and 3/20/99

> My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is

doing

> well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than

her

> right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help

lengthen

> her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to have

> surgery. Is this normal?

>

> Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask

questions.

>

> Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

> New baby coming!!! 5/05

[Guest guest]

Thank you!

> > My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is

> doing

> > well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than

> her

> > right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help

> lengthen

> > her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to

have

> > surgery. Is this normal?

> >

> > Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask

> questions.

> >

> > Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

> > New baby coming!!! 5/05

[Guest guest]

Thank you!

> > My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is

> doing

> > well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than

> her

> > right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help

> lengthen

> > her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to

have

> > surgery. Is this normal?

> >

> > Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask

> questions.

> >

> > Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

> > New baby coming!!! 5/05

[Guest guest]

Hi, I just wanted to let you and everyone know about my experience with a local

doctor that stated he was knowledgable on the Ponseti Method.

In a nutshell:

My daughter, Lhea was born (5/28) with clubbed feet. At 13 weeks, we found out

- at 20 we had a doctor that we felt was doing the Ponseti method. Keep in mind

we chose Dr. Ponseti, but stuck with the local doctor mainly because he spoke

highly of the method and the convenience.

He did do the serial casting - but the manipulations were never further

apart....it just seemed that the feet had mobility but were not being overly

corrected.

On 7/22, her local dr. did the TAL. Successful on the right foot - the left,

still stubborn.

In September, I had an appt. with her local doctor - the same week, I had an

appt. to see Dr. Ponseti and I did email him Lhea's pictures. When I went for

my follow-up, her doctor said, " lets try the surgery again before the Posterior

Release. " HELLO! NO WAY! NOT ANYMORE!

Went to see Dr. Ponseti at the end of that same week - he began casting her

right then and there. We just got back from her 2nd casting and WOW! Her feet

have more improvement with one cast than in the 10 casts (including after

surgery). Also, the TAL, NOT NECESSARY at the time!

Her doctor said he went to the seminars, conferences, etc. I believe him as it

is true. However, just cause a doctor practices it, doesn't mean he will teach

others.

Thanks to the emailing of some club members encouraging me to go, that now my

daughter is finally on the right track!

darbyalycen206 dabrennan@...> wrote:

I guess I didn't ask enough questions at the beginning- my Dr. is not

listed on dr ponseti's website, however the head doctor at his clinic

is - I'm assuming he probably trained my doc.

He has always seemed very knowledgeable and calm.. we are at

Children's Hospital in Seattle which has a very good reputation. I'm

wondering if he meant another tenotomy or real surgery. I heard this

a couple weeks ago but just know started really questioning it

(delayed reaction, I know).

Maybe I will send some pics to Dr. Ponseti. I bet everything is

fine, but just to be sure...

Yes, I'm feeling super yucky right now! Haven't told work yet so I'm

trying to hide it!

Darby

> >My husband took Livi to her appt. a couple weeks ago - she is doing

> >well, but her left foot has been more difficult to correct than her

> >right. Our doctor told us to do stretches every day to help

lengthen

> >her heel cord (I think) because if we didn't, she may have to have

> >surgery. Is this normal?

> >

> >Unfortunately, my husband was there so I wasn't able to ask

questions.

> >

> >Darby, Livi's mama 3/15/04

> >New baby coming!!! 5/05

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >