Information on Club Feet in Black and White

Jamie's Story

i have club feet
My name is Jamie and I am now 19, and born with Club Feet.
I have had about 10 operations now, and my feet are still bad.

The main operation I had was Frames, in 1997, when I was 10. This operation, they put pins through the legs, and I turn a screw a quarter turn, 4 times a day. This operation, the pins are on the legs for about 5 months, and then plaster goes on the legs for about 3 months.

The operation was performed by the surgeon that pioneered the frames technique in the UK.

When I had the frames on my legs, I had a slight accident, when walking, where I fell backwards and broke my right leg.

Due to me being stupid, I grinned and bared the pain, as I was due to get the frames removed in a month or so.
Due to the break in the leg, I couldn't turn the screws in my right leg no more.
After the operation was completed and the plaster was removed, we noticed that my left foot was over corrected by the right foot was ok.
This is just to prove that accidents can bring good things.

After that operation, my right foot has not been that bad, it is straight, and doesn't cause me much pain.
I do suffer from a lot of discomfort in my left foot, so I am still having operations, I can live with the pain in my right foot, I can't be on my feet for to long, but the pain is not as bad.

As for my left foot, I am still having operations to correct the problem.
Another operation I have had after the frames was a "re-fusions". This is where the doctor breaks the bone and fuses them back together again with internal pins.

That operation was not very successful, I am still having pain in my left foot, I have had the pins removed.

I have now moved to Spain, and I have seen a doctor over here, who wants to do the same operation as before.

To sum up the story, I am now 19 years old, had numerous operations, still having operations but I have a great job

A driving Licence

And a great life

Watch this space, there will be a page about this operation online, when I have had the operation.

[b]Update 24 January 2006[/b]
Hey all Well I was still waiting for this operation and being in Spain, while speaking little to no Spanish, this would be fun.

I was still waiting for the operation, hearing nothing, so I booked the morning of week, and me and my translator headed for the hospital.

I am booked for the operation on Social Security, but in a Private Hospital, so we went to the hospital to get an idea of how long till I have the operation, I am sure 10 tablets a day is not doing me any good.

Got to the hospital in Central Malaga, and they said that I am not on the records, I need to go to the Main Hospital for that group.

OK, to another hospital in Central Malaga, and they said that they sent me a letter in December, which got returned to them, so they took me of the waiting list, saying that I cancelled.

You with me so far, so of we go to the Clinico, the Main Main Hospital, the Social Security hospital, not private.

What happened was they put the wrong address on the form, so as it was an error with the hospitals, they had a look to see what they can do, (yea, I can't believe it, but not speaking Spanish, I had no idea what they were saying).

As it goes, there are 4 spaces available within a period of a month, and they are going add in to one of them slots, The doctor should call my translator within a couple of days to arrange a date for me to go and see him, and have pre-op checks.

So it looks like I would be having this operation by the end of February.

I will keep all of you posted on my progress, my 2nd Triple Fusion operation.

I am going to ask somebody to look after my website for me while I am in hospital, so please, continue using my facilities here, or email me for any help or support.

[b]Update 12 June 2006[/b]
Hi All,

I really should give an update on how I am doing.

I have had the operation on my foot now, They places some metal work in the legs, to fuse the ankle joint together. The movement is what the doctor thinks is causing the pain.

The good thing about being in Spain, is they do not use plaster, (as it is so hot) So I am in a bandage, which I can removed at night.

I have to wear a foot brace for a little while (3 months), but I am starting to walk again now. Which is a good thing. Slowly but surely.

This website has been updated now. I have checked for errors, and everything seems to be working my end. If you find any errors, please let me know.

Please keep your stories coming in, and now you can add your comments.

Best Regards
Jamie

Update

Updated 12 June 2006

Added on 01 Jan 2008

Comments

All times are in GMT +00:00

Comment added by Steve on the Sat 28 January 2012 a 07:29am

Hi my name is Steve i am 41yrs old and was born with a left club foot, i can honestly say its not been very easy but you learn to adapt i played alot of sport when i was younger and it didnt really stop me performing. i still play golf and now am starting to experience some accute pain which i think is atheritus,my arch has fallen on this foot and an insert does work when worn for a couple of months, good luck to the younger people out there learning to cope with this, it will make you stronger in other ways. i am currently running a succesfull business where luckily punctuation isnt crucial.

Comment added by James Burrill on the Wed 4 January 2012 a 09:44pm

hi its great to find a site like this! Im james, am 26 and was born with severe clubfoot in both feet, have had at least 15 ops on both feet including metal pins which have since been removed. When i was a kid it seemed the norm to be in casts and brace boots and i used to do alot of bmx biking when younger even with a cast on, it hurt like hell the next day but the fun was worth the pain haha. but day to day i find my feet aint too bad everynow and then i get pain sometimes it bad to the point where i cant walk!! does anyone use painkillers/special shoes etc to ease pain? also is it poss to build calf muscle when you have skinny legs due to club foot? thanks

Comment added by Sabrina on the Fri 2 December 2011 a 03:59am

Hi I'm 17 and I was born with a right club foot. When I started walking they out a cast on it to straighten it up but then things only got worse from there because as I child I put pennies and silver change into my cast, some of the change made it's way inside my leg so I had to have surgery to get that change out. I have scars from it and also my last 2 toes on my right foot kind of over lap the others. The calf and the foot have quite a difference in size. I always limp when I walk and I hate it when people point it out. For the past week I've been having really sharp pains every time I try to walk. So to ease the pain I have been walking on the side of my foot like I did when I was younger. I'm really afraid that I'll have to go and have more done to it. The ankle is bruised and it just scares me when I see myself walking like this, and I'm glad I'm not alone with this. Thanks guys.

Comment added by Claudette on the Thu 10 November 2011 a 09:12am

Born with clubfeet but my right one is worse than the left, but thanks to my wonderfull parents and their persistance my feet my feet are almost and unless someone looks directly at my feet, no one noticess the difference in sizes, my right calf is also alot smaller than the right, but hey, it could have been worse, so I am thankfull to my parents. Had lots of operations in both feet, and my feet hurt when I am to active on them, my toes gives me problems also, dont know if thats common. An orthopedic surgent wants to operate on them again, but I am afraid as my last surgery was when I was 7 and I am now 24. Playing action netball and jogging now, the jogging is fine and the netball I just trip a bit over them sometimes and my ankles get swollen. On the other hand, like I said could have been worse, atleast we can use our feet. Would love to chat to people whom have clubfeet also! Send me a mail det@live.co.za

Comment added by Jennifer on the Fri 4 November 2011 a 06:47am

I'm 17 years old and I was born with a club foot. iv'e never thought many people were born with it. I had surgery when I was around 4 months but I had to wear a cast on for about 2 years. My left calf is skinnier than my right, I am not really flexible with my left leg. My lft leg is smaller than my right but what sucks the most is seeing all my friends wearing heels and can't. Reading these commments makes me feel like someone understans me. It's difficult to be different , but hey it's something that makes me unique so I guess it's not that bad. Hopefully as I mature I will accept the way I was born

Comment added by Tim Seller on the Mon 31 October 2011 a 12:31am

Hi, I had surgery twice for a left club foot aged 1 and 10. I am now 56 and only people I've told would ever know that I had once had a problem with my foot. The surgeon was called Papworth and I believe he was a leader in this field.

Comment added by Rami on the Fri 9 September 2011 a 07:57am

My wife is pregnant 13 weeks, clubfoot has been detected early, it should be detected from week 17. i read here a lot of story about surgeries, and the pain, I have two questions:1- Is Ponseti is better than surgeries 2- is abortion is a solution? please help

Comment added by Alick on the Tue 5 July 2011 a 01:08am

umm my name is alick and i am only 16, i was born with clubbed feet more severe in my right foot. i do not know much about it but i do know that my family has gone through alot to get me where i am now. i would like to know alot more so i can relate to the rest of use. i am doing a research project at school and have chosen to use this as my topic and would like as much help as possible. if anyone is interested in helping me Email me on ugster-4eva@hotmail. thankyou

Comment added by Judy on the Tue 21 June 2011 a 04:34am

Well I am 59 years young and I was born with Bi Laterl Club Feet and(Severe)Casts on both feet from 2 days old to 2 years old ,then corrective shoes ,shoes with the bar between the shoes.Nothing worked ....So at 5 the corrective surgery began 1 right after the other .Usually at the spring break . Most of The time I spent with a cast in to the summer.One surgery toward the end they did a muscle trasplant on 2 of my toes on my right foot they took muscle from the other 3 well it didn't work .So because of the drop footI had to have my ankle fused.Now I have a Now at 59 my hips are stating to bother me ..But I never let it bring me down ....I am walking .And believe it or not I have a very high tolerence to pain .So this has been going on since the day I was born ..So I just keep on Trucking . Good luck to all the club feet out there .Any questions feel free to ask .........

Comment added by Sarah on the Thu 9 June 2011 a 09:40pm

Hi i am only 20, was born with clubfeet but had corrective surgery straight away then had physio for months after. My podiatry doctor has given me the option to fuse the joints to remove the arthritis and the majority of pain. As some days it is unbearable and i will often wake in the night crying in pain. I have no plan to go through with this operation till i am crippled with the pain. I am very active I am a carer and i train horses. I found riding English style killed my feet the pain was indescribable, but i found a different breed (Paso Fino) which doesn't put so much strain on the feet. I am embarrassed of my feet and legs, but when i am working with the horses i feel normal. It is good to no i am not on my own with this, and hoping that soon science will be able to grow me a new ankle or something like that on NHS. Hope you are all well!!

Comment added by RenÃƒÂ©e Lacasse on the Mon 23 May 2011 a 12:09pm

It is also intersting to read that most people seem to have more problems with their left foot.

Comment added by RenÃƒÂ©e Lacasse on the Mon 23 May 2011 a 12:02pm

Hello ! myself and my older brother were born with severe bilateral club feet. I have had 2 surgeries and he has had 4 corrective surgeries. I had my first operation was when I was 3 months old, and my last was at 6 yrs old. I did not let this stop me from being a kid. Due to this condition and surgeries I have limited flexibility in my ankles, especially my left. My left foot is flat footed and one shoe size larger then my right, but this didn't stop me from doing what I wanted to do. I was in ballet, tap, jazz and martial arts.... all while unable to point my feet haha (something I can laugh about now) unfortunately, when it comes to cute shoes I can pretty much only appreciate how they look on other people. But.. what can you do. I am still to this day trying not to allow my condition stop me from living my life to the fullest, however at times it is difficult. I have pain almost on a daily basis; some dayÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s worse than other. My pain is mainly fixed at the tibiofibular ligament. I get a burning sensation and seem to hurt more when walking in flat shoes. As a young teen / adult I was very self conscious about the shape of my legs and the look of my feet. I am now 28 yrs old and I just got the courage to wear shorts and skirts that are above my knees. I realize I should be more grateful but that is easier said than done I guess...it's taken me some time to appreciate that my feet and legs are a result of everything I was able to overcome and should be something I am proud of instead of being ashamed of. Just last year when I was visiting with my brother, we discussed and compared our pains and limitations. Since we grew up with our club feet as being our "norm" this is not something we never thought to discuss with each other. Also after reading the comments posted, it was almost therapeutic knowing that other people share similar strugglesÃ¢â‚¬Â¦ however some more than other. That being said I have learned to somewhat manage the pain. Before doing any activities I take some time to stretch, rotate and warm up my ankles. This seems to minimize the amount of stiffness and pain I feel later in the day. I also suffer from restless legs syndrome, which is probably the most annoying thing I have to deal with. But really, things could be worse.

Comment added by Katherine Dodge on the Thu 28 April 2011 a 01:14pm

I just recently turned 18 years old in April and I was born with bilateral clubbed feet. My left foot was my worst but my right foot was just about the same, I had surgery when I was younger and the doctor announced he has over-perfected my feet stating I'd never have problems again. In March 2009, I started having severe pains in my left ankle but I ignored it until I couldn't even walk anymore, I went to Capital Region Orthopedics and got XRays and an MRI done to find out I'm in stage 3 of arthritis in both ankles being 15 years old and also have a shortened bone in my left foot and my alkalies tendon burst open. My doctor told me to get orthodox but they made my feet hurt more and I couldn't handle it, so I had surgery in August 2009 getting part of my hip removed and put into my left foot where the shortened bone was and my alkalies tendon was removed, I started walking in December 2009 and had surgery again in February 2009. It's now 2011 and it's happening to my right ankle but 10x worse and on both sides of my foot, not just one. People say you have to live with the pain but I don't understand why the pain is so severe. I can't stand for long periods of time which makes it difficult to get a job that involves standing and sometimes the pain is to the point where I can't stand all day. I was also told the first appointment I went that I have a chance of becoming paralyzed by both ankles at the age of 45. Your story showed me that I'm not alone and other people feel the pain I do, someone finally can understand and relate so thank you, very much.

Comment added by Christi on the Sat 23 April 2011 a 08:38pm

I was born in 1947 in Michigan and lucky there was a great specialist within 200 miles that took care of me from from my lst surgery at a day old, and three others before I was 3 or 4. The correction was very good and although one calf looks a bit thinner than the others and I have a high arch and short foot, I have skied, danced and played tennis and jogged. I was self conscious and would not want to go barefoot much as a kid in summer, but got over it and hardly anyone ever made comments. Now that I am over 60 and still healthy and active, I am having some pain in the side ankle part of my left foot and sometimes swelling of one or both feet on the top of my arch. The local podiatrist said it is the precursor to a stress fracature and I should wear clog like stiff soles for casual as much as possible. Going barefoot around the house, wearing flat shoes or too high heels are ALL bad for your feet, with this condition or not. In time, problems surface with everyone. I am lucky for minimal problems and I can wear most any shoes and LOVE my many pretty shoes, but confess that the heel height is a lot less the past 4 years for me now!

Comment added by Kaylie on the Wed 22 December 2010 a 03:27pm

hello, i am 21 and i was born with severe clube feet in my right foot, i have had 10 operations since i was born, i had the 1st one when i was only just 7 weeks and my last one about 2 months ago, i suffer from a lot of pain in my foot and leg, this has effected me my hole life and i think it will do for the rest of my of my life, i have just been told i have a bad case of arthritis in my ankle, due to all the opperations i have had, i can have an opp done where they bolt my joint together,to stop the pain, but this wont last long untill all the other joints will start to give me pain and then i will have to have them bolted together as well, the doctor wants me to try and leave it as long as posible as i am only 21 years old, but the pain is so bad some times i just want to scream,i take pain killers all the time,....just dont no what to do??

Comment added by Chris on the Sat 11 December 2010 a 04:24pm

Christy: I know you posted a comment many years ago. I am new to the site, so if you still check it, I am in SC (upstate) if you ever want to email! I have left club foot.

Comment added by Mean2maori on the Mon 4 October 2010 a 11:36pm

hi yous all i know the pain yous are all goin thought because i went thourgh it all operation after operation. and it is hard in life that u want to do everythink that any otha person can do but its hard because you cant do it well you can but at the end of the dae your feet start playn up and yes my feet start hurting in the ancle part and it a a horrible pain u cant walk on it some daes. its like a sprain ancle soory 4 my spelling errors. has i miss owt on most of my skool daes because i was in hospital most of my life so im glade i found more people tht have the same pain i get and they would understand well im 23 years old and still havin pains in my left foot.i have had alot of opps in my life and they still havnt fixs them im currently doin a computer korse in new zealand. i live in whangarei i got sad sometime when im witching my m8z owt playing on the felds i give it ago.

Comment added by Debbie on the Mon 4 October 2010 a 03:44am

Hi, My name is Debbie and I was also born with Club Feet. I am 47 years young(old). I also went through many years of operations. My last ones were at 15 and 16 with an opp called a triple arthodesis. By the time I was 21 I had started to get Arthritist in my left ankle joint. This has now moved down to all joints in my left foot and also now in my right foot. I have a good GP and she knows I do not want to take pain killers but has she has said if I don't relieve the pain when needed, it will effect other parts of my body. I have not let my deformity stop me from doing things. About 12 years ago I completed a scuba diving course and have been taking underwater photo's. Like everything I do, I have to change things that suit me. Because I can not lift my ankles up when steping into the water, I do a sit down entry....must easier, and don't feel like a fool and do a face plant into the water. I manage my pain and when I know I am going to exercise...(walk around the block) I take the everyday tablets 1/2 hr before...if things are a bit sore I have another tablet to take....and if that doesn't work I take the knock tablets at night.....I have been finding over the last couple of years that the summer time is more pain because I want to be outside enjoying life. Life is there to be enjoyed and lived to it's fullest. Everybody get up and go out there and enjoy. Learn to manage the pain and know when the pain killers are needed. I am getting close to 50 now so I'm trying to work out is the rest of the body fulling apart on me when the mind says I can still do things !!! gonna keep trying!!

Comment added by Lacey on the Thu 30 September 2010 a 07:05pm

Hello my daughter was born with a right club foot she had her tendon snipped and her foot bent completly behind her for a month .Before the minor surgery with the ankle she had a cast put on and taken off every week for 2 months each time her foot was bent back alittle more.She wore a brace for a long time and the whole thing took two years to fix.Her foot still wants to curve so I went to stride-Rite and they can order special shoes that will keep the foot straight they helped.At 2 and a half I found out she had hip Dysplasia which she had major surgery for and was in a body cast for months.What a nightmare shes doing fine now shes a trooper and can do anything even better than most kids.I Want parents to know that having club feet can go hand in hand with Hip Dysplasia make sure you get your kids hips X-rayed if they have club feet it can be the only way of knowing.GOod luck God Bless.

Comment added by Jean Marlowe on the Sat 7 August 2010 a 09:20am

my 16 year old twin daughters were born with severe club feet,and had opeations since they were babies in temple street childrens hospital in dublin ireland,they still suffer a lot today with bad pain in their feet,they have been through a lot,job wise i dont know what the future holds because they cant stant for too long they are beautiful girls and very artistic,one of them needs another op soon which they will break 2 bones in her right foot hopefully it will give her a better chance of walking easier.i have a lot f sympathy for people born with club feet

Comment added by Tan on the Sun 1 August 2010 a 04:42pm

I have read many of your stories and understand what you have gone through. I was born with bilateral clubfeet in 1988. They were corrected through surgery and cast when I was about 1. Similarly to many of you, I had (and still have) stitch marks on the inner soles of my feet and grew-up with plenty of related issues. I doubt that I was put through proper rehab after my correction. My feet pointed about 40 degrees inward, and I could not squat down with my feet flat on the floor. I would trip and fall all the time and struggled to play soccer as a kid. However, unlike most people here, I was not 100% aware of my defect, and my parents never bothered to explain it to me. They would regularly criticize me for being clumsy or tripping and falling, or not playing enough soccer to "strengthen your calf muscles". By the time I was 8, I was so fed-up with my annoying inward-pointing feet, I would consciously point my feet outwards whenever possible. I can't recall for how long, but after what I believe was a few weeks, my feet actually started pointing straight forward naturally. I was problem-free for the next several years until about age 15. Any time I would jog or play basketball, I would get severe instep (top of the foot) pain. To keep a long story short, I engaged in weight training, including numerous calf exercises, as well as some plyometric training to enhance my performance. Amazingly enough, I believe this strengthening of my muscles and tendons was responsible for a complete elimination of the pain. I am 22 now and have not had serious, sports-related instep pain issues since (though I do occasionally get minor arch/midfoot pain). I am currently seeking training to lengthen my calf/Achilles-tendon complex to allow me real ankle flexibility. The lack of flexibility means that I cannot ever sprain my ankles, but at the expense of jumping, squatting, and swimming ability. The bottom line is that YOU can take control of your defect through research, hard work, and determination. Use the rubbernecked stares and criticism as fuel. Remember, we have had it harder than the others. Other people with well-publicized defects get coddled and recognized, and they receive special treatment from others. We DO NOT. Take this as a motivational building block. Please contact me if you want to discuss this issue.

Comment added by Drew on the Fri 16 April 2010 a 06:11am

Hi all I hope you don't mind me posting this comment, but after reading all of yours as part of some research I was doing, I wanted to say that it was really inspiring reading about you all overcoming adversity and rising to your personal challenges. Thank you for sharing. In future, I will try to complain less about life!

Comment added by Justin Franchi on the Tue 16 March 2010 a 03:12pm

i have club feet my left foot was corrected when i was born but my right foot wasnt. i saw a orthopedic surgeon and he performed a surgery to fuse my subtalor and put a screw throu my heel and now i cant bend my foot down. but this surgery still didnt correct the problem im 22 now and im expieriencing alot more pain now in my feet but now the pain is spreading to my hips and back. my hips are offset. idk what else i can try to help this. the surgeon also said that i probably wouldnt be able to work after the age of 30 but i fear that that day is comming sooner because everyday the pain gets worse and worse. just thought i would share my story with everyone else. i hope every1 else isn't expierienceing what i am .

Comment added by Justin Franchi on the Tue 16 March 2010 a 03:10pm

Comment added by Julie Diamond on the Wed 10 March 2010 a 04:53pm

Hi I am 50yrs old and had severe club feet.i had special boots as an infant that were progressively turned outwards on a daily basis.My achillies was shortened to bring the foot down.I also had my heel shifted and pinned.As a teen i was very knock kneed so they put pins in my knees to slow the growth.They left them in too long so i needed another op to take the pins out as i went bow legged!I have had to have a parcial knee replacement in the left knee and now the other knee has collapsed on one side so am having hip pain also in that side so i am up for a knee replacement on the right side and hopefully that will help my hip.Just a bit worried that i wont wreck the knee replacements due to the leg alignment as you can only have 2 done. I have been very lucky that i dont have pain in my feet but a little worried about the yrs to come.

Comment added by Amanda on the Mon 10 March 2008 a 02:25pm

For starters, I don't have clubbed feet.. But my son was. He spent the first 11 months of his live in casts. His first sergery at four months and second at nine months; which he also had a pin put throw his left foot for six months. His right foot is doing amazinf, but I am very worried about his left. He just turned four years old back in December and is about to have his third surgery. It was so much eaiser doing this when he was a baby.. He is now a very active child and is about to be put into a cast anywhere from six weeks to 12. I am very worried about him.. When did they begin trying to fix your feet (how old were you?)? I don't want my baby to go through all this pain that I read you talking about.. Any help or support that I might get is much needed.. I am about to send myself into a nervise brake down. Please, I would like to know more about your story and what I should expect and what my little boy is probably going through.

Comment added by Neptune on the Tue 18 September 2007 a 12:56pm

Keep up the great work. It very impressive. Enjoyed the visit!

Comment added by Tmiq3b1lym on the Sat 15 September 2007 a 02:32am

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Comment added by Jane on the Tue 17 July 2007 a 02:03pm

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Comment added by Liz Carson on the Sat 23 June 2007 a 07:14pm

your story is so similar to my son who is 19 and was born with two club feet and has a lot of ops as well he had an op in dec 06 where they took his ankle joint away and put in pins but unfortunatly this didnt work so he was back in on 21/06/07 and had it done again he has pain constantly and his foot swells all the time and cant walk to well

Comment added by Jordan Bowman on the Sun 10 June 2007 a 11:28pm

Hi i am going to be 20 on Tuesday and i was born with a left club foot and had one operation when i was 6 months to correct it. After that i had a somewhat normal life i could walk and run like just about anyone but then when i was in second grade i started to get overwieght and i am now to this day and so because of that and the pain from my left foot i gave up doing alot of physical things, but then when i was 18 i started working and at first it gave me alot of pain and trouble. I have tried all sorts of things that have helped to make it beriable (sorry i know my spelling is bad) I use those gell foot cushions i wear an ankle brace on my left foot, i take osteo bioflex to keep it flexiable and always wear some kind of hi top shoe or boot that closes the ankle and all this has made it ok sometimes no problems at all i do go through shoes quick beacause the left foot leans in and ruins the support out of the shoe so i probly change shoes about every 2 months but i am doing alright i am trying to get into wrestling which is a very demanding sport but ive lost some wieght since going to work and im just dealing with the pain one day at a time so if anybody wants someone to talk to or has any suggestions on dealing with the pain please drop me a line at my email jb_1987@comcast.net P.S. to parents of children with club whatever you do do your best to keep them active and not overwieght cuz the extra wieght just makes it so much worse

Comment added by Dustin Moody on the Thu 31 May 2007 a 09:16am

Hi my name is dustin moody i also was born with club feet both of my feet seem to hurt alot i have gone through many jobs in my life due to my feet hurting so bad. some times i can walk okay and other times i can not walk at all. for instance i started a job 2 days ago and today as i write this leeter i can not walk it feels like there are knives going up my feet. i had many surgeies as a child but now they are wanting to do another surgerie and that makes me nervous considering that i am now 22 years old married and three kids.

Comment added by SHERRI on the Mon 21 May 2007 a 09:39am

My name is sherri and I have a daughter who was born with club feet. She is only 10 weeks now and she has been wearing casts on both feet since she was 2 weeks old. Her orthopedic is telling me that she will need to have a heal cord lenghening operation on both feet right after she is 10 weeks. I am still not convinced in my mind that my baby needs this operation. And if she does I cant understand why she needs to have it done when she is only 10 weeks old. I have asked her doctor this and her doctor tells me that the operation should be done before the bones start to harden --otherwise the operation will be more serious. Is there any parents out who is going thru the same thing. Is your baby 10 weeks and is the doctor insisting on the heel cord release operation even though you child is only 10 weeks. I want to get these pareants thoughts. Thank you Sherri

Comment added by Chuck on the Fri 4 May 2007 a 12:07pm

I was born in 1958 with severely clubbed feet. I had 7 operations by the time I was 5 years old. Dr. Teal, who was a club foot sufferer and pioneer in the corrective surgeries of the early 1960's performed an experimental surgery on one of my feet. Although it made my right foot look more "normal" it has made me live my life like a car out of alignment. I blow through a left shoe every 60 days, regardless of quality, and have for over 45 years. I have unbearable pain most days, but having the two different feet makes for differing pain. For years I took aspirin and just handled the pain, but in the past few years I have had to increase to Vicodin at night. I also take Diazapam for the muscle spasms. It helps, but as all of you know, it NEVER stops the pain. Please don't make your children any more self-conscious than they already are. It took me 30 years before I would wear shorts and low socks because I wanted to hide the scars. I would tell people that I had a sprained ankle if they asked why I limp. Do not let your kids go through life like that. It is tough enough to overcome the physical part of club feet, don't add a mental side because YOU are afraid of how telling your child the truth might hurt. Trust me, they were THERE during those surgeries. Tell them the truth about why they had them.

Comment added by Christy on the Mon 30 April 2007 a 11:39am

I am 34 and have club feet and I have had many many surgerys.Here in SC where I live,I don't know anybody who has club feet. Everyday is a battle for me.I have two kids,Thank God they don't have it.But, It would be nice to know others like myself to talk to.I feel like nobody understands how I feel.I use to hide my feet because I didn't want others to see just how much I had been through.I give up on pain management.It's just something to get us on pills and screw up our life even more.And I live life like everyday is a gift from god.But the pain is real,and I hurt all the time but we can't sit back and let life pass us by.If there is somebody here who wants a friend to talk to ,then that's me.I would enjoy to talk to you.Like I said,I have never saw anybody here like us.Our battle gos on but for me I'll hold my head up high and live a happy life. God Bless.. Christy

Comment added by Cdd on the Wed 25 April 2007 a 11:43pm

My partner was born with club feet. He is now 57 years old and is suffering with daily pain which seems to worsen each year. He like others had numerous surgeries in childhood, played sports and never let this interfere with life. My question is if anyone has suggestions to help with the pain. Has anyone tried any form of formal pain management? He does not want any other surgery at this point in his life, just suggestions on how to cope. thanks

Comment added by DAVID CHARLES GREEN on the Sun 15 April 2007 a 08:07am

BORN 1965 BOTH FEET WERE CLUB FOOTED HAD OPERATION WAS 6 WEEKS OLD,DR DENOM AT OLD PORTSMOUTH GENERAL HOSPITAL DONE OP,IT WAS ACTUALLY FILMED [DOCUMENTED] AND DR DENOM WENT ALL AROUND AMERICA LECTURING ON THE OPERATION I HAD, AS I WAS THE GUINEA PIG FOR THE OPERATION WHICH NOWADAYS HAS PROGRESSED IMENSLEY AND YES I DO HAVE PAIN CONTINUALY AND WEIRD ANKLES AND CALF MUSCLES, ONE ORTHAPEDIC SURGEON EVEN SHOOK MY HAND A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN I MET HIM AS I WAS REFERRED TO HIM ABOUT MY ANKLES

Comment added by Adam B on the Mon 12 March 2007 a 04:35am

43 today and born with extremely clubbed both feet. I have played nearly every sport I wanted and never took no for an answer. Can remember taping my feet to help with my leverage. Most folks only notice the lack of development in the lower calf (soleious). Yes, I have had pain and over a dozen operations but heck haven't missed out on much. Don't hide, live life.

Comment added by Laura Roberson on the Fri 9 March 2007 a 10:18pm

I was born with clubed feet and have had a good life. I have very lttle problems with my feet, except finding shoes to fit. I have never been intimidated about doing things. I am a mother of four and am thankful their feet were okey. I had correction done at six weeks but didn't walk until I was four. I had surgury done at eight years old and my feet were straighten and never gave me any pain walking or standing. Smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone. laura

Comment added by Kim on the Fri 26 January 2007 a 06:00am

Hi,Im in N.Z.40 yrs with right club foot and one shoe size diff. I was operated on at 6 weeks old and have quite diff calf sizes, This is just a message to parents of kids with club foot,particularly the girls whom may be very self conscious in their teenage years as I was. This condition will make your children mentally stronger if they can get to try as many different sports/activites as possible when young,I found skiing awesome, still arent that great at it but balance seems to be something club foot enhances,also rollerskating tho not so much now(am too old my kids tell me)I have two great daughters both with lovely long straight feet which was the first thing I looked at when they were born,my partner went out with me for three months before he noticed my foot and that was because i wore jandals and shorts. To the girls(and boys)- Dont worry about what others might think as I know you do,as long as you are out there giving it a go people will respect and admire you for that,if they cant see all your qualities and who you are then that is their loss so just smile back at them,they will have challenges of their own that may not be as visible.

Comment added by Stephanie on the Wed 17 January 2007 a 04:01pm

Hi: Our daughter who will be 5 in May of this year was born with club feet and had surgery at 6 months of age. Please email me directly if you had club feet or have children with club feet. Thx. Stephanie

Comment added by Stephanie on the Wed 17 January 2007 a 04:00pm

Comment added by Doreen on the Mon 18 December 2006 a 09:13pm

My daughter is 14 yrs. old. She was born with a severe left club foot. She was operated on twice. She hasn't let it stop her doing anything. She is the starting point guard on the Freshman basketball team for a 6A school. She sees a chirpractor twice a month to help with the leg length(limp). Whenever she tells someone about her foot they are all stunned. It's so easy to see the difference in her calf size, I'm amazed that noone even notices. Anyway, I hope that those kids that are afraid will take courage from her. Just get out there and have fun!

Comment added by Joycelyn on the Fri 15 December 2006 a 02:41pm

I am mystified at all your comment and experiences,also very nervous. Fear trys to engulf me. My son now 8,has been through 2 corrective surgery one for each foot and does not talk to me about pains. I started talking to him earlier this year about the scars on and around his foot (tentatively).I just dont know how to handle (if and when he might need) surgery.I am even afraid to talk about him with the public. He faced me once saying,I can not get on my toes, twist my feet or move my foot around like others. Why mommy?. I am ashamed to say that I responded evasively, afraid that I might explain and destroy any part of him. Emotionly I am at my wits end. HOWEVER,WE HAVE MARCHED CONFINDENTLY TOWARDS HIGHER LEARNING. AT THIS POINT HE IS WRITING A BOOK AND CONTINUOUSLY EXPRESSES HIS INTENTION TO BE A WRITER. Now we realized that,THAT might be a job fitting to him especially if he can not stand too long on his feet

Comment added by LISA on the Wed 13 December 2006 a 04:41pm

i have a 3 year old girl with a left club foot.She has had surgery one time at nine months old and contines to wear a full leg brace.I would like to understand more about other people who have been through this kind of surgery and I often wonder if this energetic little girl will be able to live a normal life and do whatever she wants.April is a strong child that lets nothing hold her back.I let her do whatever she feels she is capable of doing.I love her and just always want the best for her in the future.

Comment added by Tiffany on the Thu 7 December 2006 a 04:26pm

My name is Tiffany. I am 21 and have had 9 surgeries for club feet. Seven of the surgeries were done before i was five. Most of my life I tried to act normal, but my limp always gave me away. I then had two more surgeries to shorten my tendons so that they could actually be used. That helped a little for the pain. I'm now working as a pharmacy tech and I'm on my feet all day. The pain is terrable. I dred each step, but standing still is just as hard. I try to be strong but what will i do in ten year? Will I be able to walk? Oh and Kristin if your reading this tell Brittani hiding isn't the answer. I know it's hard to feel comfortable in your own skin when you feel like you are so differant from everyone around you. It's like everyone is starring, but mostly its in our head. Beside's if someone is going to judge you because your feet look a little different then you don't need them. Love is blind and unconditional. Thanks ~Tiffany

Comment added by Robert McLaughlan on the Tue 5 December 2006 a 04:52am

I donâ€™t know if I can help adding my comment but it worth the try I have just had a triple fusion and it has not been easy as I was not born with a club foot but I had an accident when I was 7 years old an the doctor did not due the operation write but I had no idea that he was to blame as the years went bye I started to have a lot of pain in my foot I thought thatâ€™s the way it must be when to a doctor and he told me there was not much he can do for me so for 30years I have had pain in my back and foot and unable to walk problem until I moved to Sweden when a doctor looked at my foot and he recommended a doctor to me we met and he said it would be possible to do a triple fusion but it may not turn out good well in April 2006 I had it and I have just recently had two pins out of the three took out he has explained to me that it has been the most difficult operation he has done, if is 1% better it has been worth it well time will only tell but I thing he has been a excellent doctor and he has an excellent reputation.I hope all is well with you Jamie.Thanks,Robert

Comment added by Julie Pellow on the Mon 13 November 2006 a 08:12pm

i to was born with club feet had loads of opperations when little in the last 2 years ive had 2 opperations on the same foot been in plaster 4 ever an now have boot on which was made 4 me last opp was march this yr. an 2day the 14 0f november 2006 my foot is killing me have 2 go bk hospital tom 2 have plaster bk on until nx week until i c my specalist god knows what hes going 2 say i just cant put any weight on it just cant walk reasting it at mo withy loads of tablets by the way ive had a triple fusion not good hey keep me infomed amy body love 2 hear from people like me im 43 an chessed off at mo look forwood 2 hearing from someone thanks julie

Comment added by Jane Graves on the Sun 27 August 2006 a 12:55pm

My daughter Olivia, was also born with both of her feet clubbed. She will soon be getting a operation done on her left foot . The Surgeon is going to cut a wedge out of her leg bone. She has already had three one on it already. Hopefuuly this will do more correction. Nothing stop's her doing from anything that she wants to do. I encourage her to do whatever she feels that she can do. Best of Luck Thanks, Janie

Comment added by Caroline on the Sun 20 August 2006 a 11:08am

Hi,I am a 46 year old lady,married with 2 of a family.I have a right clubbed foot which has given me problems over the years but after four operations and several broken bones I am still working as a care assistant which I have done for the past 26 years.

Comment added by Jamie (Site Admin) on the Mon 7 August 2006 a 11:45am

Kristen: Clubfeet can stop some people from being on there feet too long, but thats about it. I was like your step-daughter. I didn't want to try certain things, but my brother inlaw kinda forced me into it. Which i am grateful for. One day he took out go-karting. He also took me paint balling, and then I took him quad biking (well he paid for it, but it was my idea) Once you manage to do one thing, then think, they wasn't bad, You will try almost anything.

Comment added by Kristen Bonaventure on the Sun 6 August 2006 a 12:34pm

Hi!!! Jamie, my name is Kristen i have a step-daughter named brittani, she is 14, and she was also born with club foot. She is scared to do most anything. I tell her that she is missing out on a lot of fun with her friends. I feel as if she uses it as an excuses. I want her to know that she can do anything and be anything that she wants. That her feet should not stop from having fun and having a life. In what way can I motivate her.

Comment added by Jamie (Site Admin) on the Sun 25 June 2006 a 09:21am

Misty: Your feet should not be causing much pain. The last operation I had seems to be the first operation where the Doctor wants to STOP the pain. I asked him after the operation, will I walk with a limp, he said, maybe, the operation was to stop the pain, not correct the shape. If you are in that much pain, I suggest trying another doctor, for a second opinion. Every doctor seems to like doing different operations.

Comment added by Misty on the Sat 24 June 2006 a 03:58pm

I, just like you was born with club feet. I have had @15 surgeries since birth by the same surgeon who preformed th efirst at 9 mo. old. In 2003 was my last surgery. The doctor called it a triple arthodesis, where he fused all my joint in my right foot ( the foot that causes me the most pain). Three years later it still bothers me everyday, although I'm still able to work and take care of my family. I'm 26 now, and i'm pondering the way my feet will feel in 20 years. My doctor says it shouldn't be bothering me, and says the only other thing he can do is send me to a pain management clinic. So your story showed me that it's always a battle for some. Thanks, Misty

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