Steph's Story

i would be happy to correspond with you offline.

I was born w/ severe bi-lateral clubbed feet which were 'corrected' through numerous surgeries. although i can't remember how i felt at 5 months, i know as a toddler, young child & teen my feet would get tired very quickly & very uncomfortable. Nothing compared to how they are now (chronic pain) but i wouldn't describe myself as being in pain when i was younger - just extreme uncomfort that varied depending on the amount of activity. I sincerely hope your child does not end up like me - not to discourage you - hopefully with new corrective techniques your child will be able to lead a more normal, less painful life than i have. I am only 27 but i am in severe chronic pain 24/7-365. I rely on a small cocktail of pain killers to allow me to lead a somewhat normal existence allowing me to work to support my family. if i could give you one piece of advice, be honest & realistic with your child. stress the importance of developing his mental prowess & direct him to a career where he can work at a desk. This may come off badly to u but i was in denial for a large part of my life. I worked on a farm growing up & would not let my feet stop me from anything - very stubborn. All this did was contribute to the situation i am in now - barely able to walk or stand.

Steph, I am 34 years old and was born with severe club feet. Having club feet is very painful and the more surgeries you need, the more painful it is later in life. If you live in the U.S.A. There are Shriners Hospitals they can help your child until he is 18 years old. It is free of charge and you can contact a local Mason Lodge for details. I would recommend the Shriners I have had two very sucessful operations there and am satisfied. www.shriners.com

Steph, I am 31 and was born with club feet. My legs were very skinney growing up and people made fun of me. However, I never knew my limitations except that I could never play hard contact football. I joined the Marine Corps in 1999 and I hit my nine year mark on Nov 30th. My legs filled out a little from all the running Marines do. Some how I made it through boot camp and I can run for miles. Currently I am in Iraq and if you would like to correspond are if I could be inspiration to anyone, please contact me via email. Thanks.

My daughter is now 10 weeks old and has severe bilateral club feet. She started in cast when she was 1 day old. She is now in the corrective shoes with the dennis brown bar. Her doctor is very impressed with her progress and she seems to be doing just fine. It all bothers me alot more than it does her.

My two year old son was born with moderate bilateral club feet, which were treated through Shriner's physicians in the normal casting/cord cutting procedures. I often see older patients during visits who are undergoing surgeries or treatment as they go through growth spurts. We have been consistent - painfully so (parentally speaking) - and it has paid off. Kanyon is showing no signs of pain (no way to tell for sure when they're so young) and I credit the doctors and our compliancy with their recommendations with this success. Forget the worrying and parental guilt and do exactly as the physicians recommend - putting that bar on every night (or day) and do not give into guilt or the child's begging. It'll pay off in the end!

Hi Steph, I am 37 years old now and was born with severe bilateral club feet. My feet were so turned around (to my ankles) that the doctors told my parents I would never be able to walk. However, I am walking and have walked since I was little. I even learned how to walk in cast. Everyone was astonished and I have never stopped since then. I have had 8 operations which were painful, but my parents were very loving and they did the best they could to comfort me. I also had siblings who never treated me different and who new that I had limitations. But you couldn't tell me that. I had to do everything they did and so they showed me how to do it with casts. I rode my bike with full length casts on both feet (I rode standing up), I roller skated with one foot (the other foot was casted), I even climbed trees with my brother and sister (my casts were shorter that time) and so forth. I had a pretty happy childhood. I am a psychologist now and love working with children. I especially have a soft spot in my heart for children born with club feet and other handicaps. Stay positive and talk with your child about any fears or anxieties he may have as he gets older. Children can be cruel, but the love, comfort and compassion you can show your child will help him through any hard times he may go through. Being limited and different can have an effect on his self confidence, but how you respond to him and your family responds can help your son have a good outlook on life. As a teenager though, I used to be very self-conscious about my feet, legs and how I walked. I have short wide feet so pretty girly shoes did not fit my feet. I have pain in my feet almost everyday, but it's tolerable. The doctors say it's wear and tear from having many surgeries and being active. There are times when it can be very painful and the castings are miserable. I wish you and your family the best.

My son Daanyal was born with bilateral talipes. He was treated with plaster casts for eight weeks, had a tenotomy and is now in his boots and bar. His feet look fantastic however he has to see a neurologist as his toes do not move. I am hoping that this is due to muscle weakness and will improve when he can stand. Despite this i would recommend the Ponsetti method everytime. Although Daanyal has been through so much in his short life (five months to be precise) he will benefit in the future. I look forward to the day my little boy is up and running around.

first of all, i dont have club feet nor do i know someone personally who has. but after given the task to report about this disorder in school, and finding people like you who are strangers to one another yet have the initiative to help through words, i am touched. I am blessed, keep on being a blessing.

IM 2Y YEARS OLD AND 9 MONTHS PREGNANT. THE DOCS TOLD ME MY DAUGHTER WAS GOING TO BE BORN WITH TWO CLUB FEET. I AM VERY NERVOUS. IM AFRAID OF HER BEING IN PAIN AND AND NOT BEING ABLE TO COMFORT HER AS A BABY. I ALSO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW SOON TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT FOR HER FIRST CASTING? IF ANYONE CAN HELP PLEASE EMAIL ME @ brooklynwojo_e81@yahoo.com thanks so much

Hello Steph. I have a 4 year old son born with bilateral clubfoot. Casting started when he was 2 weeks old. He has had tendon release surgery, as well as, tendon transfer surgery. We all know this procedure as the Ponsetti Method. The tendon transfer surgery was done on March 10th of this year. Yes, Aidan was in pain after the surgery. Pain and cramping lasted for about 2 weeks. Once the cramping lessoned, choppy waters subsided and smooth sailing prevailed. He had 3 sets of casts over 6 weeks. His casts were removed last week. He was reluctant to walk and even stated that he never wanted to walk again. Support from his grandparents, friends, school and everyone changed his mind on not walking ever again. Yes, it has been very difficult but well worth it. Aside from the cramping after his surgery, Aidan has never really complained of feet or ankle pain. I honestly think it's something he has learned to live with. Recovery from the surgery was very difficult to deal with from a parent perspective, but well worth it. Although he seems very stiff when he walks, his feet are flat on the ground. Prior to his surgery, he walked on the outsides of his feet. I do feel a bit more at ease because I feel that he will have less problems with walking as he gets older.

For those of you who have very young children born with "club", please research Dr Ponseti @ the University of Iowa before having the surgery.

hello steph Im 11yrs old nearly 12 and i have bi-alatrel talipes. ive gone throught what ur son is goin through . i had my feet in cast when i was 6 hours old. and had them till i was 3. but it only helped a little bit and i have had 6 ops since i was 3 . and i should be having another this summer. it might not be the same but i feel as ive grown older that it affects more the peaple around me than me. ive learned to live with the pain . but when ppl say u must be used to havin operations. u dont and ive never met some1 who has. at school because ive moved to secondry school i find it harder now and ever before because ive started to get judge and so far this is probably 1 of them time that clubfeet affects you. my mum tells me stories of when i was about 2 and i started exsploring things and my mum got worried . but she said that after i was 3 she started to accept that i was a kid . please email be bck

Steph, I have son with same bi lateral club feet and now well at age of 5 yrs. Obviously your son too will not need any further surgery as far as functionla value is concern, but in my view cosmetic and aesthetic at later stage u may feel need, so as I m feeling. But your son will be as normal as others, only thing accept that club feet is not normal feet.

Steph my son also was born with severe bilateral club feet. he had cast since he was 2 weeks old and every week we took them off and they would put new ones on. I know it hurts to look at your child with casts but after two surgeries and castings he is looking so perfect now. I myself would cry to see my child go through this but i knew it would be worth it. Billy is 4 now and plays peewee basketball and runs just as fast as everyone else. So dont worry all this will pass and he will also be okay............. billys mommy.

My Granddaughter had her first casting done this week, she is only 2 weeks old. She seems to be very miserable to say the least. I think the casting is why to high to her groin and I think they are pinching her. Could I be wrong. I feel like she is a lot of pain? Thank you and comment will be highly appreciated. Linda N(Grandma)

I Steph, our son was born with severe bilateral club feet and went through the same procedure as your boy (Ponsetti Method), he never had surgery either. He will be 5 in February and attends school. You would never know there was anthing wrong with his feet, he just runs and jumps around the playground like any normal boy of his age and he never complains of sore feet. All I can say is continue with what you are doing stay positive and it is well worth it when you see the end result. Good luck. email me if you want to ask any more questions.

Steph, i'm 27 and was born with a very severe left clubbed foot. I would be very glad to correspond with you regarding any questions you have. I will just say this if you have not thought about it: Depending on how severe his feet are, keep just as close of an eye on his mental well being as his physical. a day may come when he realizes he is different and he'll need support.