Our daughter, Claire,
was born in June 2000 with a left clubfoot. It was a surprise at delivery,
and we were referred to a specialist. We were told that casting worked 50
percent of the time, but, if it didn't, surgery would be required. After
three months of casting and a tenotomy, her foot was improved, but not
fixed. Major surgery was the next step.
We had done research and found out
about the Ponseti method. According to Dr. Ponseti, virtually all cases of
clubfoot can be corrected without surgery, as long as treatment is started
early enough. We ended up taking our baby halfway across the country to
see Dr. Ponseti, and he corrected her foot with only three additional
casts.
Claire is doing wonderfully now. Her
development is right on target. Casts and the brace she has to wear
part-time haven't slowed her down at all. If your doctor is saying that
your baby needs surgery, we urge you to look into the Ponseti method and
seek out a doctor specifically trained in it. We are so thankful we did.
If you are a new parent faced with a clubfoot diagnosis, take heart:
Everything can work out fine! fine!
|
