Clubfoot Community

Heather,

We took Evan’s casts off the night before. We didn’t know about the ponseti method, he just had below the knee casts so he didn’t get a good result. My understanding is that with the Ponseti method they don’t take casts off the night before.

~ Ruth

You can try this site http://www.steps.org.za/ and http://www.clubfoot.co.za/

Please keep us posted on how things go for you.

~ Ruth

Chantale,

Check out these sites

http://www.mixmatchshoes.com – this online store sells shoes of different sizes
http://www.OddShoeFinder.com The site allows people with mismatched feet to buy and sell their unused shoes left over from buying two pairs at a time.

Hi Stacy,

I know what you are saying about shoes… I’ve been having a hard time finding boots for Evan so we are actually having boots custom made. It is so expensive! His feet are a hard size to find (6½ EE – men’s shoes typically start at a 7) and we can’t go up a half size because then his one foot which is slightly smaller will be swimming in the boot. He’s nearly 18 so his feet have stopped growing so this is going to be an ongoing problem. We need the sole of the boot to be made out of the right material so that it can be modified for his leg-length discrepancy. Hopefully these boots will be so well made that they last a long long time.

~Ruth

HI Alisha,

I really feel for you… I understand that compliance with the bar is very hard but it is also a very important part of the Ponseti method. My son wasn’t treated with the Ponseti method so we didn’t go through the awful bar stage.

Hopefully some others will have some advice for you.

~ Ruth

Hi Melissa,

Welcome to the ClubfootClub! Where are you in Ontario? We are in Toronto. Make sure your Doctor is following the Ponseti Method – Here is a checklist I wrote that may help you understand what’s involved.

Feel free to ask any questions.

~ Ruth

Hi Elizabeth,

Don’t worry about her not walking yet. Evan didn’t walk until 19months. Evan didn’t have the Ponseti method and didn’t have the bars… his feet would be much better if he did. Here is what I’ve read about the Ponseti brace….

“The real challenge of the Ponseti Method begins when casting ends. Children must wear a brace locking their feet in place 23 hours a day.
After three months, the time required begins to drop incrementally until age 4 or 5 when, according to Dr. Ponseti, the gene that causes club
feet is no longer active.”

Congratulations on your new son! My best advice is to learn about the Ponseti Method and ensure that your Dr. is skilled in this proceedure. Check this out for more info. The Ponseti Checklist.

~ Ruth

That is hard. It is around $80 for Evan’s shoes to be altered but we get most of that back. Maybe a lift in the one shoe would help. Evan has been told to make sure he chooses a career path so he won’t be on his feet all day. Good advice but it is hard I’m sure when you need a job you take what you can get.