Home from hospital - anyone with club foot??

[Bagpipes]

Hi everyone

My DS1 had his surgery on Mondy. It was a pretty straight forward surgery, which went very well. He was actually so well behaved, well mannered and polite, I couldn't believe he was my son!!! They performed a tendon transfer (tiab thingee!!(involved 3 scars on his foot) plus they had to do the achilles tendon release (this is his second one). So we are in a plaster for 8 weeks!!!He is not allowed to weight bear for another 2 weeks, and surprise surprise, so far he isn't showing any signs of wanting too. Has anyone else here on mumsnet, have children who have undergone clubfoot surgery?? We are waiting to have more lip surgery at the end of the year!! (So far in total DS1 has had 9 surgeries for one thing or another.

Thanks for any comments
Bagpipes (DS1 is Down Syndrome and ???? aged 4.5 years)

I sure Dinosaur has a son with a club foot, I think he has had surgery maybe you could try contavting her via another talker??

(Dinosaur sorry if I am wrong - I am sure you mentuioned it to me at coffee one day!!)

Not club foot, bagpipes, but I had achilles tendon release surgery on my legs when I was 5 (I have very mild spina bifida). I was also in plaster (both legs) for 8 weeks. Absolutely no problems since...other than rather inflexible ankles.

Hope your son feels better soon - 9 surgeries, poor mite

Thanks Twinkie, and marthamoo. Orginally, we were told when he was 9weeks old - one surgery of achillies tendon release would be enough!!! That was bad enough, as the first 9 weeks of his life, were spent going into hospital 3 times a week, to get his foot manipulated - to try and avoid any surgery!! BUT it did work up till now, but his whole foot started to turn in quite badly and so we had the tendon release done!!! Surgeon said this time, all going to plan this might be his last club foot surgery!!

Bagpipes

Bagpipes, Hi! Yes DS has a range of complications in his leg and foot including a talipes type arrangement - had surgery at 10 months, and now tears about like a mad thing, even tho' he has one leg 3cm shorther than the other (ask anyone who was at the SE London picnic meet-up)

Am rushing out now - more later - but he'll be fine.

Have you accessed the STEPS website and messahe board? It's v helpful

Sorry to divert thread, but I know an autistic child who had surgery due to tendons shortening from tip-toe walking (a common ASD behavoiur/habit that my DS has so far never done).

bagpipes,my ds1 hd talipes in both feet, was manipulated for 8weeks, then had an achilles tendon release on 1 foot, which was put in a cast for 6 weeks, then the other foot was done. This did not work either, so they did a tendon and tissue release, which involved scars on the side of his foot, the bottom of his heel, and up his leg, and he was put in a cast for 8 weeks, again they did 1 foot at a time. it seemed never-ending, but it worked. He wore special shoes for a year, is now 10, and you would never know that there had been anything wrong. Best of luck to you. I found STEPS a great help at the time.

Off at a tangent, sorry, but I refused the surgery. From being about eight years old I had terrible pains in both knees. They told my parents it was just growning pains for years and the pain got steadily worse. I was eighteen before they diagnosed the problem.

I eventually went to see a specialist who did a 3D bodyscan and he found that I had thirty percent rotation in each leg from the knee. So if I stood with my feet together then my knees were almost facing each other. The specialist said it was the most diformity he'd seen in anyone who didn't have a genetic defect.

He offered me surgery which would involve cutting the bone below my knee, rotating my leg and then pinning it. Six months with each leg. So I said no. I still get pain now and I'm 27 but as I've got older my body has started to accept the change and I deal with. So now I just wear pants all the time so people can't tell.

I'm sorry that little bagpipes has gone through nine surgeries. He's a very brave little boy.

Hi again

Thanks everyone for your comments!!
Dinasaur: How does your son cope with these boots?? They sound like the same ones my DS1 had up till he was 15mths - he just couldn't stand to wear them. I know at the time, the surgeon was very pleased with DS1's foot - So, he agreed to take him out of the boot with the steel bar, and allow him to wear any shoes he wanted to. Ummmm I often wonder now, was that the right thing to do. Well anyway, I am hoping this time round, he won't need further surgery but I guess it will all depend on growth spurts and of course DS1 low muscle tone!!
Zaphod: the last surgery your ds1 had, appears to have worked - excellent news to hear - I hope he doesn't need any more further down the track too.
Flip: Wow you are a very brave person to have put up with such terrible discomfort - BUT the surgery type ummm did sound terrible.
Davros: I have also heard that children with dyspraxia walk on tiptoes!! DS1 doesn't walk on tiptoes, but my DD does!!

Thanks again everyone
Bagpipes

Bagpipes, interesting..... maybe its more likely to be autistic children who also have dyspraxia. Anyway, good luck with managing the next few weeks, its a long time.

Hi everyone

Dinosaur: At 9 weeks old DS1 had the achillies tendon release, and was placed in plaster for ummm about 6-8 wks, after the plaster was removed, he had to wear the boots 24 hours aday??? You mentioned your son has to only wear them at night - I really do wonder, if we had of only worn them at night instead of full-time would it made a huge difference?? Sorry to ramble - I know that was then, and I should move on LOL Just a thought, maybe he would of tolerated them better too!!

Thanks for comments
Bagpipes

Hi Bagpies, how is your little one now? How is life in Plaster? DS had his leg in plaster for 10 weeks following soft tissue surgery on his foot/ankle for talipes at 10 months. He then wore a splint (AFO) for a year, and now wears Piedro Boots.