Re: Shorter leg - questions from Shanghai

[Guest guest]

My son,athan, was 14 days old when he started the treatment and I

didn't notice any legnth difference until he was in the DBB. I think

I've read on the board about sometimes the leg that the clubfoot is on

tends to be a bit shorter. Also from reading on the board it sounds

like some parents' kids started the method much later in life. I think

my son's left foot actually will be stronger then his right just

because his left foot had the cast on and he would kick with that foot

more often. Anyway I'm sure others will reply with more info.

Holly

athan 9/03/04 Left Club Foot, DBB 23/7

>

>

> Dear all,

>

> Before I found Ponseti Method, I had took my 6 day old to see a

> physician, then 's left foot, the one in clubfoot deformity, had

> been put in plaster cast. Yesterday, I took to see a Ponseti

> Method qualifed physician in Shanghai. The physician released the

> plaster cast and told us to wait for a week to start the Ponseti

> Method. I have no question about that. However, this morning, I found

> after only one week in plaster cast, 's left leg was 1 cm shorter

> than the right one, the mornal one, and the left foot was 1 cm

> shorter than the right one as well. My questions are 1) whether any

> of you have took your baby for the treatment within one month after

> birth, 2) whether the leg with clubfoot deformity foot becomes

> shorter than the normal leg, 3) how the deformity leg if put in

> plaster casts to catch up the normal leg in terms of growth.

>

> Thanks,

> Jian

[Guest guest]

Jian,

Perhaps the difference was there before and it just hadn't been

noticed? I have not heard of casting causing a leg length difference.

I know that when the doctors have measured my daughter's legs, they

do it from the hip bone; is that how you did it too?

I know that there is sometimes a leg length difference in children

with clubfoot, but it is not, as far as I know, a frequent or usual

finding.

Here is some information from a " Parent Research Paper " by , a

parent at this site, from our Files section.

See #4 for info on leg length difference:

--------------------

Physically Observable Results after Successful Treatment

The following results show a variation of affects depending on the

severity of each child's condition regardless of treatment with non-

surgical or surgical correction. (Dr. Lehman, chapter 34, Disorders

of the Foot and Ankle, results from 200 feet, 1979-1987) (Ponseti

1980 study)

1. Shoe Size, Shortening of the Affected Foot, from 0-4 cm (average

1.6cm) (Ponseti's 1980 study mean difference was 1.3 cm)

2. Difference between the Width of the Feet, 0-.6 cm (average 0.3cm)

(Ponseti's 1980 study mean difference was 0.4 cm)

3. Difference in Circumference of the Calves, 0-5.5 cm (average 2.5

cm) (Ponseti's 1980 study mean difference was 2.3 cm)

4. Leg-Length Difference, 0-5cm (average 0.6cm) (Ponseti's 1980 study

had no difference)

5. Clubfoot affects the maneuverability of the Ankle Joint

6. Clubfoot affects strength of the foot and calf muscles.

7. Surgical method often has observable scars circling 2/3 of the

foot just below the ankle.

8. Those using the Ponseti method feel that a non-surgical method

leaves a stronger and less stiff ankle joint and stronger muscles,

ligaments and tendons. (Ponseti)

9. Whether done non-surgically or surgically, there is a tendency for

the feet to try to return to the original positions until as late as

6 yrs. This is called relapse or recurrance.

------------------

Perhaps someone else can provide more info for you..

Best wishes,

>

> >

> >

> > Dear all,

> >

> > Before I found Ponseti Method, I had took my 6 day old to

see a

> > physician, then 's left foot, the one in clubfoot deformity,

had

> > been put in plaster cast. Yesterday, I took to see a Ponseti

> > Method qualifed physician in Shanghai. The physician released the

> > plaster cast and told us to wait for a week to start the Ponseti

> > Method. I have no question about that. However, this morning, I

found

> > after only one week in plaster cast, 's left leg was 1 cm

shorter

> > than the right one, the mornal one, and the left foot was 1 cm

> > shorter than the right one as well. My questions are 1) whether

any

> > of you have took your baby for the treatment within one month

after

> > birth, 2) whether the leg with clubfoot deformity foot becomes

> > shorter than the normal leg, 3) how the deformity leg if put in

> > plaster casts to catch up the normal leg in terms of growth.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Jian