Information on ClubFeet in Black and White

Caroline's Story

I am 46 years old and married with a family of 2, I have a right clubbed foot.

None of my family has a clubbed foot, thankfully. I know that if you do have a clubbed foot you learn to deal with the ups and downs of your life and learn to cope with the disability. But I did not want them to have to cope with anything like this.

I am saying disability but it is just recently that I have classed it as this as I have lead a very fulfilling life but I have been having difficulty in the past few years with arthiritis in my ankle and with the foot being clubbed It is getting very weak.

I was born without a heel, the doctor operated and took a piece of bone from another part of my body(i don't know which part of my body as my mum cannot remember)and put it in my foot where the heel should have been and the bone eventually grew to replace my heel bone so I have a scar right round my heel and I have no feeling in this part of my foot.

I have had my achillies tendon stretched as I walked on my tiptoes.This enabled me to walk flat on my foot and I have had a bone graft to try and staighten my toes but this was not totally successful so my toes are still clawed.

I have 3 size differences in my shoes so have to buy two pairs of shoes which is very difficult as the small size I cannot get in the adults shoes so have to buy footwear from the kids department.But I am currently trying to get in touch with an orthopedic shoemaker.

I have had ups and downs but I have worked as a nursing assistant in care of the elderly which is a pretty strenuos job for 25 years. but I have managed to cope until recently.I am looking for a job where I am not on my feet for long periods of time.

My clubbed foot has never really stopped me from leading a normal life but I have had to cope with a lot of pain and not been able to wear any kind of shoe like stilletos, that was always my dream when I was younger.

Comments

Comment added by : Felix on the 14 Nov 2006 at 08:26am
Hi all,
I also have a club foot (right) and also the right calf is smaller than the left. I do all kind of sports now without major dificulty, just feel more tired on my right foot than the left. I saw an orthopedic and he told me that he recommends the achiles tendon to be lengthened, but he also said that the lower leg will get weaker. I do not really know what he meant?? because as it is it is weak. I am 39 years old and would like to hear from older people than me that had procedures done and their success or failures from such procedures.

Thanks!
Comment added by : ursuline griffith on the 08 Nov 2006 at 10:34am
Dear caroline. I too have a club foot. I am 55years old, I too was married but now widowed. I have 2 children none of them was born with clubfoot. I can tell you it is not easy living with clubfoot. Icannot get the right kind of shoe. I never thought that there would be so much information about clubfoot on the net. I am so excited. Please feel free to send me an email.


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