Dealing with Clubfoot

We don't want to be too presumptuous here at Faith, Feet, & Love (although we did just use the word "presumptuous" so we're not saying we're experts.  We're not even saying we know more than you do.  Odds are you know a lot.  But what we're saying is that these are the things that we found worked for us.  They're the things that grounded us.  The things that kept our marriage, our lives, and our sanity together. 

Faith, Feet, & Love has a ton of information on it.  But you can really find that information broken into 3 categories.  General Columns, Advice for Parents, and Dealing with Clubfoot.  This page helps you search for those specific pieces of advice.

Dealing with Club Feet:

Not to panic you, but there are so many things that can go wrong when dealing with club feet.  Everything from accidentally breaking the bones in your babies feet to figuring out how to care for sores and changing diapers.  We're not doctors.  We didn't even watch ER on television.  But these are the things our doctors told us.  Or things we figured out along the way.  So check out all our articles on ways to Deal with Clubfoot.

18 comments:

  1. I just got to read a few of your articles on club foot. My little boy was also diagnosed with club foot. He is now 4yo and just graduated from having to wear his braces any longer. His was a single foot and was worse them some better then others :) he was a champ throughout the entire process and we stuck with what the doctors told us to do. His foot looks awesome and he runs and plays and is a kid. Good luck on your journey.
    -Ruth
    www.crtlifeasweknowit.wordpress.com

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  2. Ruth - thanks for the encouragement! I just read the article on your website about your son's own clubfoot. We've found that that the Dobbs brace is the only thing Eli will tolerate. We tried the traditional shoes and bar, and he wanted none of it. Fortunately we had an alternative. I'm not sure what we would have done otherwise!

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  3. My husband and I found out that our little guy who is due in July has club feet. It has been a roller coaster of emotions over the last couple of months. I was so happy that I came across your blog. It has been a perfect combination of postive stories, tips etc. and realistic accounts of what life will look like with a child with club feet. I have felt inspired to write about our experience, so please let me know if you are up for having another guest blogger.
    Thank you,
    Paula

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    1. Hi Paula,

      Thanks so much for your kind words :) we would love to have you contribute a post (or a few:)) to the blog! If there is one thing we have learned going through this experience is, it is so much easier to cope when you know you aren't alone and the things you are feeling and going through are normal :) Please get in touch with me via email: mrs.heatherbarrett@gmail.com

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  4. Dear Heather and Eric,
    I am 21 weeks pregnant right now and just came to know that our baby boy will have bilateral clubfeet... I feel fortunate to have come across your blog. This has been incredibly helpful as I did not know what to expect...Initially we were devastated..but now feel much better after reading everyone's stories..
    We live in cincinnati too and plan to go to children's hospital for further treatment.. We plan to meet with a doctor before the due date so that we can be ready for the treatment.. What questions should we be asking them? How do we choose a doctor? Could you please help?
    Also, do you have any recommendations for buying a certain type/brand of clothes,diapers, crib, changing station, car seat and pram etc.?
    Is it OK to contact you via email if I have any other questions?
    thanks a lot,
    Mukta

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    1. Hi Mukta,

      Thanks for you for getting in touch. We are so sorry to hear about your baby boy. We know how heartbreaking and devastating that news is. I am happy to answer any questions you have :) Feel free to send me an email: mrs.heatherbarrett@gmail.com. Eric and I are also working on a post that will cover a lot of your questions about what to do to get ready for your baby (thanks to your comment we were inspired :)) I would also be happy to get you in touch with Eli's Orthopedist (who we LOVE). His nurses do consult visits and made us feel much more comfortable. Both Dr. Melhman and Dr. Tami practice the Ponsetti treatment. I would meet with both of them to see who you feel more comfortable with as they both do things very differently :)Hugs, Heather

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  5. Eric/Heather:

    The blog has been written so well giving out all details of every aspects from pregnancy, emotions, marriage, financial planning and utlimately stress on babies which is very difficult to watch while casting. we had our baby boy with unilateral clubfoot which was very mild. He had only 2 casts and right now on his braces for 23 hours. The doctor did not recommended tenotomy, keeping our fingers crossed. Your story has come across so well and thanks a ton for sharing this.

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    1. Karthik -

      Thanks for stopping by. We knew right away that Eli's story was something that we wanted to share. It was terrifying enough going through this on our own, we knew we wanted to be a resource for others who might face the same challenges.

      Good luck with your son's braces. I think the 23 hours-a-day part was some of the hardest, because they limit so much of what a baby can do.

      Let us know how things turn out!

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  6. Eric and Heather,
    Thank you so much for sharing your blog! I am a mom of a 3 week old amazing baby boy with bi lateral club foot. After going through infertility and almost accepting my husband and I would not have our own biological child we found ourselves holding our breath until our 20 week growth scan. I relate all too well to your journey of emotional ups and downs along with your research and planning.
    We are into our 2nd week of casting and finding our "footing" as new parents. Thank you for sharing your story. Even though this journey can be trying at times it is comforting to know others have the same feelings and struggles as we do. Bless you and your son and prayers that your challenges are minimal in the future.

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    1. Cheryl Ann - Thanks for your comments (and prayer!). It's been a tough run for us, and it's no picnic to deal with clubfoot. But we're sitting on two years of braces / castings / surgeries, and every day it's a miracle to watch Eli run around the house. Don't let anyone tell you what you're dealing with isn't a "serious" problem - because it is. But know that there are great doctors, nurses, and treatment available for your son. And congratulations on being a new mom!

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  7. Hi! I am Anne from the Philippines. My daughter was diagnosed with bilateral clubfoot. When she was born and I was notified of her condition, I was on the brink of tears and I don't know what to do and expect. I started searching for clubfoot online and came across your blog. It helped me face reality and deal with the treatment of my daughter's feet. It gave me the optimism I badly needed. Right now she is turning 3 months and is on her braces. Braces here in the Philippines are not as comfortable as what are commonly used in the US and her doctor suggested we order from the US but we can't simply afford it. I just want to ask if anyone knows of someone who already outgrown their braces who wants to donate the used brace as I have read in the net that some are being donated. Thank you.

    Anne

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    1. Hi Anne,
      My name is Jenny. I don't know what size your daughter needs, but I have a pair of double 0 orthotic shoes I could donate to your daughter if the size would fit her. My son will be sizing up next week and I wanted to pass these on to someone who needed them. You would still need to find the fixed abduction bar that the shoes attach to, but the brace bar shouldn't be too hard to find. These orthotic shoes are pink so would be great for a little girl. Feel free to email me at perpetualbecoming@gmail.com if you are interested.

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  8. Anyone out there with helpful advice. My son is 3 and just got put back in casts for 6wks. That means no walking, jumping,playing outside..how do you explain to a 3yr old why he's so restricted?? We've been doing the Ponseti Method since 3wks old. With 2 surgeries down, and 1 to go. It just doesn't seem to be getting easier. He's screaming endlessly at night saying it's so painful. With the lack of sleep and endless tears, I'm just needing some advice on how to make it easier for him and/or more comfortable.

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    1. Hilary - We're so sorry to hear that. I know as a parent it has to be heart breaking. We haven't experienced anything like that situation, so I don't have anything concrete to offer you. :(

      But you are definitely in our prayers - and maybe someone around here has an answer / suggestion for you.

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    2. Thank you Eric! Prayers are everything right now! We appreciate it! :)

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  10. Your blog is super inspirational. I really appreciate your candidness. My husband and I are going through this situation now with our 5 month old. I, too, am blogging all about it. I would love for you to link my blog as I would love to do it for you as well.

    https://clubfootjourney.wordpress.com/

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  11. Hi ACSHak - For us, the 5 month mark was one of the hardest points of Eli's journey. The lack of sleep, the crying, and all the other illnesses we had to deal with. But I want to encourage you that sticking with your treatment is the best thing you can do. It gets better. And every day we watch our son run, jump, and walk, we are thankful. :)

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