Max's family is from Lima, Peru. While Max's mom was pregnant, an ultrasound at 16 weeks showed that his feet were turned in, but a diagnosis of clubfoot was not made. Max was born in Miami, Florida on October 11, 2000. The doctor told Max's family that he had clubfoot and they were sent to an orthopaedic surgeon. Max was first casted when he was 3 days old. He was casted again two more times at intervals of 10 days. They were given a foot abduction brace (DBB) and told to have Max wear it 3 hours per day. They were sent home to Peru and were asked to return in one month. When they returned to Miami, they were told that Max would need surgery. They went home to Peru and found a doctor in Lima. This doctor put Max in short casts (below the knee). After one month of treatment by the Peruvian doctor, Max's feet were still not corrected. Max's mom started doing research on the internet and found information on Dr. Ponseti. She sent him an email and he called her back on the phone. He listened to her story and told her that he felt he could fix Max's feet in 15 days! Max's family brought him to Iowa when he was three months old. Dr. Ponseti corrected Max's feet during three weeks of casting sessions plus a double tenotomy. Max's mom says that they thank God every day for permitting them to find Dr. Ponseti and she says that he is like an angel for the babies with clubfoot. |
