Help for Clubfoot Babies

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  • September 17, 2008 3:30 pm at 3:30 pm #588262
    mdlevine
    Member

    If you hear of children born with clubfoot (either 1 or both feet), there is an alternative method of treatment to the break and reset surgery. The procedure is known as the Ponseti method and it is important to get to a Ponseti certified Doctor.

    Dr. Ponseti is affiliated with the U. of Iowa and has been researching and perfecting this method over the decades. There are Ponseti certified doctors thoughout the U.S. and even abroad.

    We used a Dr. affiliated with Columbia-Presbytarian Childrens Hospital of NY.

    The procedure involves a series (weekly ~10 weeks depending on the case) of castings from the upper thigh to the toes potentially followed by a release of the achilles tendon with additional casting. The final step is the boots and bar. Once the child reaches the boots and bar stage, the child will mostly likely need physical therapy. You can check in your jurisdiction to see if is covered as part of Early Intervention programs and paid for by the jurisdictions.

    To find additional information and a Ponseti certified doctor

    go to: http://www.ponseti.info/v1/

    look in the “info for parents section”

    September 18, 2008 1:58 am at 1:58 am #650445
    Pashuteh Yid
    Member

    Mdlevine, what is the maylah of this method over the conventional method?

    September 18, 2008 12:27 pm at 12:27 pm #650446
    mdlevine
    Member

    Pashuteh Yid – good question, hopefully, I can answer it adequately.

    the Ponseti method does not involve breaking and resetting the bones in the proper position — this is a more radical procedure and can cause anything from discomfort to full pain for the child later in life. Many doctors will not perform this procedure until the child is at least 1 year old. Additionally, arthritis can set in because of the surgery.

    The Ponseti method repositions the bones via casting and maintains the position with the boots and bars. If the condition is found via the sonogram, the procedure can start as early as the day of birth.

    There can be surgery with the Ponseti method to release the achilles tendon – many times the tendon is tight and the foot faces down. there is pain with this procedure, however, the child is extremely young, the pain is not lasting and the child will have no recollection.

    the major advantages are:

    1) less radical procedure – there is generally no need to break the bones*

    2) less pain – during, immediately after and years after

    * it could happen that the castings are not working and the surgery will be needed – the Ponseti certified Dr. will explain this.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    NOTE: the “md” in “mdlevine” does NOT stand for medical doctor. I am neither a doctor nor do I work currently or have I worked in any capaicty in the medical field.

    September 18, 2008 2:18 pm at 2:18 pm #650447
    Will Hill
    Participant

    Dr. Levine,

    Thank much for sharing your medical expertise. Do you provide any discounts for YWN readers, should we schedule an appointment with you?

    (I’m being facetious.)

    April 30, 2009 1:25 am at 1:25 am #650448
    YW Moderator-72
    Participant

    Mrs. YW Moderator-72 was able to share this information with a neighbor and another friend and they are both seeing positive results using the ponseti method.

    April 30, 2009 2:13 am at 2:13 am #650449
    I can only try
    Member

    YW Moderator-72-

    That’s really nice to hear.

    Tizku lemitzvos to you, the rebetzin and mdlevine.

    July 15, 2009 5:38 pm at 5:38 pm #650450
    mdlevine
    Member

    I just returned from the Doctors office.

    after a few months of weekly castings starting shortly after his birth..

    a minor surgery on his tendon

    more casting

    3 months of wearing boots with a bar between them 23/7

    Physical therapy

    and wearing the boots with a bar for sleeping (he turns 4 tomorrow).

    Boruch HaShem! The Dr. said that his feet look great and he no longer needs to wear the boots and bar anymore!

    July 15, 2009 5:53 pm at 5:53 pm #650451
    mepal
    Member

    Wow! Baruch Hashem, md! Thanks for sharing the good news with us!

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