Club Foot

Hi everyone
It's been a while since I needed to be here but we just came back from Shriner's with some disapointing news. Joshua might be having a relapse. We had an appointment today and I brought up the fact the Joshua has been tripping and falling a lot lately. Dr. Mack had him run up and down the hallway and watched his foot. He said that the foot seems to be turning in a little. He suggested some casting and then surgery called a tendon transfer. Anyone ever heard of this our gone through it? Dr. Mack is seeing us in 6 months to see if there is any change. At that time Joshua will have x-rays and then put sensors on his heels to monitor how his foot is placed on the floor. Then we will see what our options are. We are really disapointed that this might be a relapse. We thought we were out of the woods. The only good news is that we will still be able to go to Disney in May. I guess we will cross that bridge when we come to it. I would rather have Joshua go through all of this now rather than have to endure anymore surgeries once he starts school.

Andrea and Joshua (09/22/01) ponseti method, right clubfoot

I just wanted to offer my p&pt.  I wanted to tell you that later on he will most likely socialy fix his foot by turning it out while with his peers.  I hope that his treatment will help him and that he will speed through his recovery.  I am so sorry he is having a relaps I know how you feel.  Thomas is only 4months old and already had a relaps.  We are still hoping for no sugery.  In anycase I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Hi Andrea,

I'm so sorry you got disappointing and worrying news.. I hope you get the info you need and that everything works out..

Yes, I have heard about the tendon transfer, or ATTT (for anterior tibial tendon transfer, I believe). It something that is done to handle relapses in older children.. I have heard that it is very successful and fairly straightforward compared to other surgeries. One of the links below tells more about it.

You might want to post at the Yahoo clubfoot group; there are several parents there whose children have had this procedure and could give you their perspective.

Here are some links to info on relapses that might help:

Link to a messageboard post including text about Dr. Ponseti's 2001 article regarding relapses:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nosurgery4clubfoot/message/13223

Another post on relapses, including info from Global Health booklet:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/nosurgery4clubfoot/message/20810

The Global Health booklet on clubfoot treatment. See page 26 for info on ATTT. There are even pictures showing the procedure being done:
http://www.global-help.org/publications/cf-english.pdf

Another post on relapses, including info from Dr. Jose Morcuende on importance of bracing:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/nosurgery4clubfoot/message/29612

Hang in there.. I hope all turns out fine..

Teresa and Claire
age 4 1/2

Thank you Teresa for your links and information. It was very helpful.

Andrea and Joshua (right clubfoot, Ponseti method, 3 1/2 years old)