18 month old , leg casts & gaiters

[Bedsheets4knickers]

I just need a moan. Dd not walking or standing unaided yet. After doctors and physio and orthopedics . She's gone into leg casts and has gaiters to wear at night . The gaiters have already come off. She's distraught wearing them and it's been a lot for her today dealing with being put into casts.
It's an 8 week plan for the casts changing 2 weekly to stretch the calf.
She's still not asleep now she's really unsettled . I'm also crying in frustration at how long this is all going to last.
Has anyone had any experience of this???

[Bedsheets4knickers]

Can this thread be moved to behaviour/development please

[BCBG]

Can't really help much but just to say my very dyspraxic DD didn't weight bear or stand unaided until 26 months - she's now 172cm tall and will be about six foot in the end. She had retained reflexes which want when she put the sole of her foot down she pulled it away from the ground again. Orthopeadic consultant wanted casts but after a dreadful fitting session her physic took me to one side and advised waiting it out for a while longer, which I did. Not saying that is what you should do because I don't know anything about your DD but I wanted to reassure you and say that aged 12 I have a lovely - if slightly clumsy and very gangly DD. Best of luck!

[Fairylea]

I am probably wrong and you've clearly had lots of advice but 18 months seems very young for such intervention. Many children do not walk until that sort of age anyway. Second opinion perhaps? Neither of mine walked until about 19 months. Both absolutely fine now. I took both to see the gp as I was worried and was told to wait a while.. I feel for you and your little one. It must be really upsetting for you both.

[Bedsheets4knickers]

My daughters tall, not massively but she's long. 2nd night of crying for us. I don't want to pull out of these casting appointments they've said 6-8 weeks max before they try other options but this proving horrible for all involved. Thanks for the message x

[Bedsheets4knickers]

It's not so much the walking we are worried about it's the not bring able to stand flat footed. I actualy thought when I took her to doctors in January about it I'd be laughed out the door. Wasn't expecting to be told " yep something's not quite right here"
It's so frustrating .

[Fairylea]

Sounds really hard :( have you tried giving her calpol? Probably won't do too much but may just help a little and help with drowsiness too.

[Bedsheets4knickers]

Yep resorted to it last night for that exact reason. She's coping fine during the day think she's distracted enough to not worry about them.
They've said once the casts come off she'l have to wear the gaiters at night. :-( already it's looking not likely

[mineofuselessinformation]

I'm sorry you and dd are having such a rough time of it. I'm not medically qualified, but my understanding of it is that treatment when young is the best option as young bones and ligaments are more pliable and respond better to casting. I'm happy to be corrected on this if I'm wrong.
Anecdotally, a neighbour had a dc with similar problems - she chose not to continue as her dc was distressed in a similar way... Ultimately he ended up having several operations to correct the problem.
Definitely go with calpol and ibuprofen too if necessary. It might be enough to keep your dd settled.
I hope you all get some sleep tonight.