Shoes.....I donated all of her shoes after we learned she had clubfeet. I knew she'd be in casts until she was three months old and braces 23 hours a day until she is about 1 year old. And then she can wear shoes because bracing will only happen while she's sleeping. But even then, I wonder if we will use reverse last shoes, which are specifically made for children with orthopedic issues. I wore them for in-toeing when I was a toddler. These shoes will help keep her feet turned outward, one more intervention to hopefully prevent relapse.
We traveled half way across the US for hercasting, tenotomy and braces. Her feet came out of casts in December and I was heart broken when I saw them. I knew right then that her feet weren't fully corrected. Her feet are atypical and she is at greater risk for relapse and failed treatment. Traditionally, a child in her situation would have additional stretching casts and another tendon release. I asked if we could see if the brace could be modified to continue to correct her feet. While it isn't advisable to brace when feet are not fully corrected, we did it anyway. Ultimately it was our decision. The x-rays show that the brace is working! Her bones are aligning properly and there is less flexion in the mid foot. She still has creases on the bottom of her feet. I suspect those will be there for several years. But her feet are pliable and have great flexibility. When the braces were made, she had 5 degrees of dorsiflexion in her right foot and 0 in the left. She is now at a 12 in the right and 7-10 degrees in the left. The braces were modified to facilitate the realignment of her forefoot and mid foot so that the entire foot will position properly under the tibia.
She is learning to stand and starting to take her first steps in the braces and out of the braces. We see a physical therapist once a week and we do massage and stretching/exercises 3 times a day.
No comments:
Post a Comment