Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

URGENT - CAN ANYONE RECOMMEND A CONSULTANT ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

65 replies

willow2 · 23/01/2004 00:00

My best friend?s sister has just given birth to a little boy who has been born with Talipes and will need corrective surgery to both feet. Can anyone recommend a consultant orthopedic surgeon specialising in this field, in the London area. The family are prepared to pay for private treatment. Thank you.

OP posts:
dinosaur · 23/01/2004 17:11

My son's feet are fantastic now. I was inviting willow2's friend to come and see us so that she can see what a great job Mr de Kiewiet has done.

He still wears his boots and bar at night but he is so used to it now, it doesn't bother him in the slightest.

Original poster
willow2 · 23/01/2004 17:33

Hi again - someone mentioned that Ponseti is suitable for all but the most severe of cases. My friend has been told that, on a scale of 1 to 10, her son is a 10. Would that rule Ponseti out?

OP posts:
dinosaur · 23/01/2004 17:46

No - but some additional surgery might be required - but still a lot less than going down the conventional surgical route.

She certainly should not rule it out at this stage - a good Ponseti method consultant will give her an honest opinion of how bad the feet are and how likely the Ponseti treatment is to be successful - and as I said there is the option of the further, but still limited, surgery afterwards.

Tissy · 23/01/2004 19:43

willow2, have a look at this . If you look at the "Physicians Qualified..." page there is one listed for London. I know that there are several more in London as well.

I wouldn't worry too much about the feet being graded 10/10. It is very difficult to tell in the early stages whether a foot is going to correct or not (95% do), the only thing to do is try the method. If it doesn't work, then no harm has been done, and conventional surgery can still be carried out.

HTH

dinosaur · 23/01/2004 20:25

Willow2 - I haven't received your email yet.

Original poster
willow2 · 23/01/2004 20:29

Hi Dino, just had message from Mumsnet stating that they can't forward my message to you as you have requested not to to be contacted by mumsnet on your registration form - and to tell you that you can update your member profile to allow members to mail you by following the links from the homepage. Let me know when you've done it and I'll send you the message through again.

OP posts:
Original poster
willow2 · 23/01/2004 20:30

Tissy - thanks for the link

OP posts:
dinosaur · 23/01/2004 20:33

How strange - I've had messages from other mumsnetters!

dinosaur · 23/01/2004 20:36

Right - I've changed profile now. Try and see if that works! However I see that Tissy has very sensibly posted a link to the Ponseti website, which hopefully will help your bf's sister a lot.

dinosaur · 23/01/2004 21:06

I'm going to try and post a link to the yahoo talipes bulletin board.

You have to become a member to post on it, but it's free.

It should be here

Original poster
willow2 · 04/02/2004 11:02

Hi guys, haven't posted for a while as both mum and baby were unwell and didn't really have any more to add. However, they are finally out of hospital, which is a relief. I will be speaking to my bf this week so will mention your kind offer, dino. Thanks for all your help so far.

OP posts:
Blu · 04/02/2004 11:36

Willow, sorry, have only just seen this thread. My DS has a talipes-like condition. Talk to your friend quickly, as if the Ponsetti Method is suitable for her baby, it needs to be started as soon as possible after birth. I would agree that if it is suitable, thisa would be the preferable route. It wasn't suitable for my DS, and we are seeing the specialist peadiatric orthopeadic consultant at Kings, Sarah Phillips, who I would hihly recommend. We also get an excellent orthotics and physio service through King's. We sought a second opinion from Feargal Monsell at Gt Ormond St, who along with Mr Hill there is also one of the top recommended Pead. ortho. consultants.
Glad she has found STEPS, there is also Clubfoot.UK which has a very good site and was started by a Mum of a chld with talipes.
If Ponsetti Method turns out not to be appropriate, your friend is v welcome to contact me about surgical correction - which has also been very successful in my DS's case.

SecondhandRose · 04/02/2004 20:14

There is a surgeon at Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield who specialises in children, sounds just what you are looking for. He is from Belguim but I can't remember his name, sure they'll know if you give them a call.

Blu · 04/02/2004 21:03

Willow, also meant to add, there is very little point in going private, IME, the best consultants will be available through the NHS anyway. But they must find someone who specialises, not just the resident orthopeadic. And get second opinions. Our consultant arranged our second opinion for us.

Original poster
willow2 · 17/02/2004 10:32

Hi guys - well it seems the ponsetti method isn't suitable for my friend's son - he was put into plaster yesterday and hasn't stopped crying since. Her brother called me this morning to say that she desperately needs to talk to people who have been through similar - can anyone who is willing to talk to her email me via mumsnet with their names and contact numbers and I will pass them on to her. Will also email you - Blu and Dinosaur - directly. Thanks everyone in advance.

OP posts:
Original poster
willow2 · 17/02/2004 10:44

FYI - she is seeing a Mr Hunt from St Marys in Paddington.

OP posts:
Tissy · 17/02/2004 11:04

Willow2, have your friends asked Mr. Hunt if he is actually trained in the Ponseti method? I know it is difficult to be that assertive when dealing with medcal staff, but it is very important. Someone who doesn't know enough about the Ponseti method will say that it is not suitable; they need to see a Ponseti practitioner before writing the method off. Almost all cases of talipes are "suitable". It is worth a try in all cases, if it doesn't work it should do no harm. I don't like the sound of the poor baby crying after the casts were put on- that shouldn't happen. It is definitely worth getting a second opinion.

Blu · 17/02/2004 11:28

Willow, I agree with Tissy, and only a Ponsetti-trained consultant could say. I think there is one at Chelsea and Westminster, now, Alison somehting, but STEPS will know...I have replied to your e mail, and will look forward to corresponding directly....

Original poster
willow2 · 17/02/2004 11:29

All I know is that he is a leading light in childrens' orthopaedics - but they did discuss the ponseti method. I don't think the baby is in pain as such - just miffed at being restricted - surely crying would be a "normal" reaction to that? I know that ds cried whenever he was p'd off! Anyway, have to say am loathe to start suggesting that they should get a second opinion without knowing what Mr Hunt said. It's a difficult one.

OP posts:
Tissy · 17/02/2004 11:36

There are plenty of "leading lights" around who know next to nothing about the Ponseti method, unfortunately! I say "next to nothing" because most will have heard about it, but if they don't know why the Ponseti method is different to other manipulative treatments, they will assume the results are just as poor as the other treatments. They are not!

Miss Hulme at C+W is listed on Ponseti's website as "qualified".

Original poster
willow2 · 17/02/2004 11:39

What is the web site address for Ponseti?

OP posts:
Tissy · 17/02/2004 11:40

I gave a link to it further down the page!

Original poster
willow2 · 17/02/2004 11:43

doh - well, can't find him listed. Will pass on the other lady's details

OP posts:
Tissy · 17/02/2004 11:50

Willow2, the list only includes those who have travelled to Iowa to be personally trained by Ponseti. Over the last few years, the technique has been "rolled out" in this country and is practised (successfully) in many more units that are listed on Ponseti's website. Even if Mr.Hunt is trained in Ponseti manipulation,a second opinion can do no harm. I don't know whether STEPS would have a more up to date list of Ponseti trained doctors in this country- I know they were represented at a recent Ponseti Conference in Manchester.

Blu · 17/02/2004 12:30

WE sought a second opinion because most consultants understood that not many parents would embark on serious treatment for their baby without: in fact our consultant arranged the second opinion for us. I think Mr Hunt IS one of the leading lights, but Ponsetti treatment is only just catching on here...and the popularity is largely due to parental preferance rather than professional interest!