St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Jennifer

Our adult foot specialist recommends in Baltimore either Mark Myerson, Lew Schon, Greg Guyton or John Campbell.

Good Luck

Kristina Porter
Clinical Nurse Coordinator

Date 4/22/08
Email:Valeriemfritts@yahoo.com

When I first discovered that I was pregnant, I knew my world was going to drastically change. At 20 weeks, my husband and I went to find out the sex of our baby. He beamed when told it was a boy, then we were told that the doctor needed to explain the "other" results to us. The doctor explained to us that our son was showing bilateral clubfoot and was referring us to a genetic specialist in order to rule out any other medical defect. I never knew anyone who had this type of diagnosis and when he told us of the possible diseases adn deformities that could accompany the clubfoot, my dream of a "perfect" baby quickly faded. I cried as we left the office, thinking all of the worst possible outcomes. We did an amazing amount of online research, and one name kept coming up, Dr. Dobbs, and luckily, he was located within driving distance for us, along with being covered by my insurance. I spoke to a few doctors and children's agencies in the area, who confirmed that for my son, Dr. Dobbs was going to be the best. I contacted Dr. Dobbs via e-mail and he quickly returned a message to me, followed up by an e-mail by Ms Porter, further explaining their services and procedures. They did a lot to calm this already nervous first time mom's nerves. When Xavier was born (completely healthy at 6lb 7oz and 20.5 in), his pediatrician completed the necessary referral and we had an appointment within the week. 5 casts later and the tenotomy, Xavier started his braces today. The whole process went by so quickly and Dr. Dobbs and all of the staff were so patient and great at explaining the details of procedures they were doing, not to mention their ability to handle my baby with a tenderness as if he was their own. Virtually no problems were had with the process, excluding some minor pressure sores, skin pushing, and with the last cast his toes sliding up a bit, Xavier had tough nights following each casting, getting used to the different position and weight of each cast, but he did roll over and kick his toys on his floor gym while in them. He is already scooting of his blanket with his little brace on. I am singing the highest praises of this staff and the treatment method that they used because I watched a miracle occur with my son's development over the past several weeks. I would encourage any parent who reads this to take photos documenting the progress your child makes. It is amazing to look back at the difference each cast makes, especially considering each is only about a week apart. I would also like to note that if you are in Illinois and need financial assistance with your child's medical services for this treatment you should contact the Division of Specialized Care for Children at #1-888-841-3232. They helped us by paying my insurance copays, reimbursed us for our travel expenses and helped sort out things with my insurance company with claims. They have worked well with my insurance company so there has been virtually no expense for my family. I hope other families are as lucky as we have been. Feel free to e-mail me if you would like any more information about our experience.

Date: 4/14/08
Email: noshirtnoshoes2002@yahoo.com

My daughter had surgery for a club foot 13 years ago, and does experience problems when skating, skiing, anything that involves another type of "shoe" or boot. Does this mean possible problems. Should I seek care for her foot or has anything else had this problem.


Reply:

Thank you for posting on our web page.

I would continue to have an orthopedic surgeon check your daughter's clubfeet. As she goes through growth spurts her feet can change position.

If you would like to see Dr. Dobbs at St. Louis Children's Hospital please give me a call.

Kristina Porter RN BSN
Clinical Nurse Coordinator
office: 314-454-2065
porterk@wudosis.wustl.edu

Initials: MC
Date: 12/19/07
Email: faithful2me82@gmail.com

My daughter was born with one clubbed foot-her right foot. She will be 7 months old this month on the 26th. She went through a series of casting since she was 3 days old and then 2 surgeries already, 1 at about 4 weeks old and then the 2nd at around 3 months old. She is a pretty strong little baby. She kicked off 3 casts in one week before her first surgery. It's been almost a month that she has had to wear her special shoes and the bar( the one where it doesn't screw on to the shoes but has little sort of clamps that attach to the side of the shoes). But somehow she keeps managing to kick off her shoe. She does it all day long and my husband and I keep putting it back on. I was wondering if someone could help us with this? She also hasn't worn the bar for about 2 weeks now because she kicks it off and the doctor said to let her just wear the shoes for now until we see him this coming Friday. I am so afraid that her foot isn't getting better because it seems like it's turning again, but I do the stretches with her. I guess my husband and I need some advice and I know the doctor will help us on Friday too.

Initials: av
Date: 11-10-07
Email: missaimee@hotmail.com

Well after long begging from Dr. Dobbs and his staff I have finally got on the message board and decided to tell Mason's story...

I was 8 months pregnant with my third boy when all the complications started i found out that he was not getting any bigger and he was going to have club feet. I thought it was going to be a nightmare until the day before Mason was born i went to see Dr. Dobbs for all the advice in the world. I came into the office and his staff was great the explained all the procedures and then set up an appointment for two weeks after he was born. Mason was born at 4 lbs. 12 oz he was a perfectly healthy little boy with bilateral club feet. At the age of two weeks the process started with a set of cast. (which added a couple pounds) casting started March 2nd and his surgery was Apr. 14. Then on May 5 he went into the braces ( which were the old style of white shoes and no movement on the bar) he had two sets of these before Dr. Dobbs introduced him to the new Afo Style (thanks for this invention) no more blisters and rubbing.

Mason will be four in 2008 and we are hopping to be graduating from the braces. I do still see some turning in on his feet when he is tired. But that is to be expected from my understanding.

We have had a long tough road with the braces we have gone thru spell of not wanting to wear them and trying to take them off in the middle of the night. I do have some suggestions for this and they may work for you and your child.

The first one is for getting them to put them on with out a fight Mason had a favorite stuffed animal of a cookie monster and an old pair of Afo's in the closet so I would put on "cookie's shoes" with out a fight so Mason Would have to put on his shoes without the fight. It has worked for about 8 months now and I still use it today.

The next one for the waking up in the middle of the night. Mason sleeps by the window and can always see outside. When i would be close to bed time and time to put his "special shoes" on and to go to bed we would always look outside and talk about it being dark then we would put on the shoes and say they can come off when the sun came up and this work very well because When he would wake up in the middle of the night all i would have to do is ask if the sun was up and it would distract him by looking out the window and watching for the sun that he would forget about the "special shoes" and fall back asleep.

Initials: SL
Date: 11/07/2007
Email: slauringratto@rogers.com

My son has been wearing the bar shoes since his was 3 months and keeps getting his left foot out every night. I would love to try Dobbs Brace. Any info on where to purchase the Dobbs brace in Canada?

Initials: mk
Date: 10/25/2007
Email: brtsqd3@mchsi.com

My son has surgery at 3 months by a dr then again at 7 months by dr dobbs. along with lots of casting and braces. He is now 5 and I guess in the last year we've noticed more and more that his foot is starting to turn again. Can this be corrected or is it to late?

Initials: LB
Date: 9/24/2007
Email: lbailey125@comcast.net

My son is eight years old and needs further treatment on a his club foot that was surgically repaired when he was 7 months old. His current physician recommends that we try casting in combination with tendon tranplant surgery. Has anyone out there had success with casting a child at my son's age?

9/17/07

Dr Dobbs and his staff would like to invite readers of this site who have clubfeet to participate in his research study to locate the gene for clubfeet. If you would like more information or would like to participate please contact Melissa Kirchoffer at 314-454-4113 or by email at kirchofferm@wudosis.wustl.edu.

Thank you

Kristina Porter

Nurse Coordinator

Initials: bk
Date: 9/17/2007
Email: njeri_karanja@yahoo.com

I am a 35 years old African female. I have arthritis in both knees but the right knee is more severe with bone spurs everywhere. I recently found out that I had club feet as a child. This happened after seeing an orthopedic in the US who then referred me to a rheumatologist. I remember seeing an orthopedic as a child and being in casts for a while. I also remember having to wear corrective shoes upto about age 15. My parents never told me what was wrong with my feet despite the obvious deformity. I hated having to wear corrective shoes while my siblings wore fancy ones. Anyway, my feet are not so bad now but it is obvious they are abnormal. I find it difficult to buy shoes that are comfortable or that fit properly. I have raised arches. My shoes bend outward and the tips rise after a while which forces me to buy shoes several times a year. I would like to find a store or brand(cobbler) who makes shoes for adults with club feet. I live in Boston, MA. Any information will be highly appreciated. Thanks.

Initials: EDK
Date: 9-17-07
Email: elishak@fidnet.com

Hello! My daughter Gretchen was born with clubfoot. Before she was a month old we took her to Dr. Dobbs. Luckily we only had to do 2 casts! And no surgery! She is wearing the brace now, although we have had trouble with her trying to wiggle out of it. She will be 4 months old on Sep. 22nd! Dr. Dobbs said she is very lucky not to have the surgery. She has already rolled over with her brace on! Does any one have any advice for comforting her when she is awake? I have been prping her up to try and get some of the pressure off of her hips/legs, that seems to help a little. email me please,
elishak@fidnet.com

Initials: DLD
Date: 08/27/07
Email: dana.doro@wfhc.org

I'm in desperate need of some advice.
I have twin girls with bilateral clubfeet.
They have a severe case of clubfeet. They have had the tendon release surgery and they have also been involved in serial casting for 6 months. They are now wearing the AFO hoping to help correct the problem.
Our ortho specialist wants to do another tendon release surgery. I'm hesitant because I'm not exactly convinced this is their only problem.
Is there any advice from those of you with clubfeet you could give me?
My daughters are 15 months old and have delayed gross motor development.
Their feet are still turned inward and truly look like they have never had any form of treatment.
Our ortho specialist said that this is the worst case of club feet he has ever seen in kids without spina bifida.
I'm so very worried.
Any advice/help/anything would be greatly appreciated
Sincerely
Dana

Initials: SG
Date: 8-15-08
Email: sgilbertson.stu@okcu.edu

To all the parents reading this board and wondering how their child with a club foot will be able to lead a normal life. I am now 23 and was born with a left club foot. My foot was treated with the Ponseti method. Though many children do not remember having to wear the brnce I remember sleeping in it until I was about 4. However having a club foot early in life did not affect me later on. All my life I have been involved in basketball, dance (ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop), golf, soccer and most recently martial arts in which I achieved a world champion title. I am currently finishing school to become a nurse and hope to work with children because I feel I can relate to them being in the hospital and at the doctor all the time. (Growing up my orthopedic doctor has become a great friend and mentor). I wanted to write this note so all the parents wondering if their child will ever be able to lead a normal active life will know that the answer is yes. It is a long process but well worth it. I wish you the best in you journey.

Initials: cm
Date: 08-05-07
Email: christinemanner@yahoo.com

My 2 month old baby boy has bilateral clubfoot. He is going on Tuesday the 7th to get his last set of casts off and get his boots with a bar. I'm nervous because he likes to be on his belly and I'm unsure if he will be able to be on his belly or sleep on his belly when he's older. How will he learn to roll over?
I appreciate reading everyone's comments - at least I know to expect that he'll kick the boots off a lot.
How hard is the adjustment from casts (since he was 9 days old) to the boots? Will he be able to be on his belly? Will he be fussier? Will he hate them?
Any stories or tips would be welcome!
Christine and Kannon

Initials: FN
Date: July 25, 2007
Email: frederiquen@hotmail.com

We found out that our baby girl (due in October) will have a left club foot. I am hoping to get recommendations for doctors in the greater Los Angeles area that are specialized in treating this. We have Kaiser Permanente insurance so the doctor would (preferably) have to be in that network. Also wondering if Kaiser Permanente can provide us with the Dobbs brace and if they cover this. Any advise is welcome! Thanks, Frederique and George

Initials: SMM
Date: 6/26/07
Email: smmash21@yahoo.com

Hi! I'm so glad there is a message board! I was just wondering when and if my son's foot will turn straight? He did the casting for six weeks and had the tenotomy. We are doing the Ponseti Method, but after a few days with the DBB, he rubbed a hole in his foot, trying to get out of it, so we had to put him in a one legged brace. The doc says his foot looks great; he is six months old now and just beginning to crawl. Whenever he is standing in his jumperoo or exersaucer, his little foot sticks out like the girls in high schools (if you remember what I'm talking about!LOL!) I'm just wondering when it will be a little straighter when he stands? Thanks so much for any help. Also, if you can send me to a site that has a series of pictures, I would greatly appreciate it!

Initials: SMO
Date: 06/05/07
Email: jakcsoncken@charter.net

My son is 28 months old and I've noticed lately when he runs he swings his hips and keeps his knees in and swings his feet out. It almost lookes like he is running with a bar between his feet eventhough there isn't one there. I was just wondering if anyone else has noticed these kids of things with their kids. I don't know many kids around our area that are older than my son so that I can compair without compairing if you know what I mean.
Stephenie

Initials: srs
Date: 05/25/2007
Email: mrs_s_salazar@yahoo.com

My 13 yr old son was just diagnoised about 2 months as having a mild stroke since then he's having epesoids of Left foot shifting to the point where he has no control at the time while it's happening it can last up to the point till he rest for about 2-3 hours. While this is happening I can not do anything to confort him, the only thing we have been able to do is talk to him & make him rest so he is relaxed. After any-day he's had a normal child his age he is so tired like if he's ran a mile. at the time he will have a head ache & bleeding that will last first 1/2 hr now 1 hr. and no answer for 6 months. Now doctors are looking for epelepsy.

Initials: AJG
Date: 04/27/07
Email: jagrindon@yahoo.com

Just thought I'd say "Hi" since it's been pretty quiet around here lately. Anyone stopping by, feel free to ask a question or comment on how your child is doing with their treatment or in their brace.
Sam is just over 2 1/2 and is doing so great -- his foot looks fantastic! We just finally moved him to his big boy bed because he learned how to climb out of the crib with his brace on. Yikes! I still can't figure out how he did it.

Talk to you all later,
Allison
Sammy's mom

Initials: SMO
Date: 03-22-07
Email: jakcsoncken@charter.net

AJG-
Thank you for responding to my previous question. I think we are going to continue to wait and keep Corey in his crib a while longer. He's still pretty short and even on the lowest setting on his bed he has trouble so I think for the sanity of everyone we're not going to move him. I however have another problem/question. Corey is at the point that he wants to be very independent however has a lot of trouble getting his shoes on by himself and if my husband or I help him it makes him mad and he then refuses to have his shoes put on. Once that happens it almost take 3 people to hold his legs and get his feet in the shoes and them tightened before he gets his feet out. I was wondering if you or anyone else experienced that as well? We go to see Corey's shoe doctor in two weeks. I'm not sure they can do anything but we will see. Thanks again for your b-day wishes and comments. Even though I know we are not the only family that has and is going through this it's nice to be able to talk to someone. Stephenie

Initials: AVH
Date: 3-16-07
Email: aevh@charter.net

Hi-One of our twins, our son, was diagnosed with clubbed feet via ultrasound today (we are 22 weeks pregnant). I have read up on the condition, but wondered what other parents did to prepare for the road ahead? Any advice is appreciated.

Initials: SMO
Date: 02-15-07
Email: jakcsoncken@charter.net

Please note that my email address has changed. My son turns 2 tomorrow 2-16-07. I was wondering about how other parent's have transitioned their child into a toddler bed with the shoes? Corey is currently wearing his bar shoes at night time and I am a little worried that if he fell out of bed that he would have a hard time getting back into bed with the shoes on. He really hasn't "out grown" his crib yet but he's getting close as he bangs the bar on the sides of the crib when he rolls. I would love to get feed back from anyone either on here or by my email. Thanks. Steph

Initials: KP
Date: 01/23/07
Email: porterk@wudosis.wustl,edu

Dr Dobbs and his team would like to thank everyone for posting on this site and the encouragement offered to our new families. We have seen an increase in the new families from the web! Please continue to post to keep this web site up and going. Each of you have or will have a success story to tell. You and your baby's story will encourage so many others to keep with this methosd and avoid surgery. Kristina, Nurse Coordinator

Initials: AEM
Date: January 31, 2007
Email: kovays_mama@yahoo.com

Hi. Iam brand new to the message board. My son is months old and and he a bilateral club feet. His progress is duing very well. But His heel has no yet dropped and we go back to the doctor this Friday. Iam very nervous that they will say he will need a second surgery, to help his heel fall in place. Well wish me luck and baby Kovay good luck. Thanx

I haven't posted in a long time but wanted to up date everyone on my son and some of the great experiences that posting here has helped with. My son Corey, is now walking at 20 1/2 months. Life is so much easier now that he is walking. His feet look great. We go back on Thursday to a place in Columbia, MO for a follow up. I'm excited to see Corey's doctor and show him how much Corey has improved since our last appointment. Since my last posting, I received an email at home from a family that also has son with club foot and it was nice chatting with them. I found out that they see the same doctor that I take my son to and I hope that we can some day meet so that our son's will know that they aren't alone in this world. That there are others that have the same diagnosis and that they can do anything that they want to in life. Sorry this is long but I wanted to give a little support to those who are reading these. Keep up the good work. I know it's hard and long but so well worth it.

Initials: KLS
Date: 10/25/2006
Email: kellysimmons122@yahoo.com

I was just curious how everyone did when their baby began to wear the shoes and DBB??? My DR offered to keep casting below the knee if My baby did not do well with this right away....just curious?

Initials: AJG
Date: 10/18/06
Email: jagrindon@yahoo.com

Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to share about our trip to Iowa City for the Ponseti Symposium and 3rd Annual Clubfoot Races. It was really encouraging to see all the doctors in attendance to learn the Ponseti Method and take it back to their practices. There were also several doctors visiting from other countries. Sammy got to participate in the "long-term follow up" portion of the presentations and in the clubfoot races. He was so excited to get to run, and I was so proud of him -- he ran all the way around the quarter-mile track!
It was so neat to see all the kids, from the little ones just learning to walk, to the older ones, running around on their beautifully corrected feet. It was really inspiring!

Allison

Initials: RRR
Date: 8/30/06
Email: rehmer@cbchs.org

My wife and I are proud parents of a 5 month old baby boy. Our son was born with bilateral club feet. Since he has been about 10 days old he has been under the care of Dr. Dobb's. He did very well with the casting - with some minor problems with him trying to slip out of the left foot - but that was taken care of. He started out with the braces 23 hours a day. At first he hated the braces (loved his leg casts) and we had problems with him keeping them on. He would kick the off a lot throughout the day. So, with the help of Kristina (who is wonderful by the way) in Dr. Dobb's office, she recommended we go to the shop. They gave us braces with shoes ontop of the ones we originally where give with the foot mold/straps so we could try both and see which ones worked.

We liked the shoe braces much better, however, over a period of two weeks our son once again started getting out of those. So, went back to the shop and he has been in his first set of braces ever since. These are the ones that are molded to his feet. His left foot does not completly sit in the mold, however, Dr. Dobb's told us that will happen over time!

We religiously kept our son in the braces for the 23 hours a day for three months like we where instructed, and, ALWAYS do the necessary feet excercises. We went back for a visit this month and are now slowly reducing down the amount of hours each day he wears the braces to where he is wearing them in the evening, when he sleeps at night and during naps. He has gotten use to them and now they rarely come off/loose.

I must tell you, I was born with a hip disease call Perthes. It was never caught until I was in my late 20's...I am now in my late 30's and I have had numerous hip replacements. My wife and I along with my family are greatful to Dr. Dobb's, Children's Hospital, Shriners Hospital, Kristina, and the rest of the staff for what they have done for our son/family and what they continue to do for us so his feet are corrected.

It also is nice to see grown adults that had club feet as children come up to us and mention that they had gone through the same thing as a child, and, they are perfect fine and where growing up!

5% of the correction process is Dr. Dobb's and his staff. The other 95% is the parents. It is well worth the time/effort for our son. We highly recommend Dr. Dobb's and his staff. We are very thankful and greatful!

If anyone has ANY questions or just wants to talk, please email use. We are all in this together, and sometimes another sounding board is a good thing.

Initials: cms
Date: 8/18/06
Email: tstaley@otecom.net

WE ARE WALKING!!!!! Just wanted all of the other parents to see some wonderful news. My little 18 month old girl started to walk this past Wednesday. After our last visit on 7/31, I still felt frustrated because she wasn't walking yet but Dr. Dobbs and Kristina kept assuring me. Now she is up and on the move. She doesn't have the "normal" walk, instead she walks with her feet wide apart and keeps her legs stiff. I am not sure if this is normal???? I can't say in words what seeing her walk means. I remember talking to Kristina for the first time and tearing up and wondering if she would walk. I know it took a while but we are finally there!! Thanks so much for the patience, care, and understanding of Dobbs, Kristina, Kelly, and Barb.

Initials: NMW
Date: 08-04-06
Email: nwinking@heintzelectric.com

Thank you to those who have chimed in to my questions/concerns. Mason still has his dorseflexion and can go a little past neutral(although lately he's been trying to fight me again on doing his exercises, which he's done before--not so much that it hurts him at all, just think that he would rather be up and moving). But anyways, when he's walking, both of his heals do stay down. And Kristina and I spoke through email and assured me that things should be ok as long as he still has his dorsiflexing and walks with heals down. She and Dr. Dobbs--I really just can't say enough about how much they mean to us, and for all they've done to help Mason.

We have kept our appointment for the end of August, and I will keep you posted--looking forward to another good report!! :) thanks--Niki (the sometimes worried, cautioned Mom to Mason, 14 months,14-16/7,dobbs)

Initials: cms
Date: 08/02/06
Email: tstaley@otecom.net

Niki,

I am the mother of a 17 month old girl who was born with bilateral club feet. I remember first getting her braces and her foot not fitting all the way down in the boot. Her left foot would come out anywhere between 8-10 times a day and I was so frustrated. I felt like her feet would never be corrected. I talked to Kristina weekly and she just kept encouraging me. We would go and the SHOP would make adjustments. I thought that her foot wasn't molded right and that was the reason it didn't go all the way down and kept coming off. Kristina always would say, she will grow into it but as the overprotective mom, I still worried. Eventually her foot grew and she fits fine now. I know exactly about the space you are talking about where the heel don't fit, but I know that if it wasn't okay, the wonderful Dobbs and Kristina would let us know. As all the questions come up, I feel like I am the only one who has the problem. It is nice to see this board up where we can communicate. I am so concerned because my daughter is still not walking. We just recently got a walker and she does wonderful with it. If anyone has this same problem and has a positive ending, I would love to hear it.

Thanks

Initials: AJG
Date: 07/31/06
Email: jagrindon@yahoo.com

Hi Mason's Mom,

Does he still have at least 10-15 degrees of dorsiflexion? Does he put his heel flat on the floor when he is walking? If either of these seem to be an issue I would definitely try to get in to see Dr. Dobbs sooner. Also, if you are still uncertain, feel free to contact Dr. Dobbs or Kristina and ask, they will be able to reassure you if there is nothing to worry about.

Hope this helps.

Initials: SMO
Date: 07/26/06
Email: stephenie.oncken@dmh.mo.goV

My son's doctor has requested that my son wear the DBB shoes without the bar during the day when he is allowed to have his "bar" shoes off. My son currently wears a pair of specially made shoes with the bar that are not the normal DBB shoes. My son is 18 months old and we are not sure if our insurance will be willing to pay for both pairs of shoes as we are having to fight with them about the special made shoes. I was wondering if anyone had a pair of size 2 (I think) white DBB shoes (without the bar) that we would be able to borrow? If insurance does not pay for them it will cost us $150 or more just for the shoes. If you think that you could help please email me. Thank you for any assistance you can give.

Initials: nmw
Date: 07/07/06
Email: nwinking@heintzelectric.com

My son Mason is 13 months old, and has a right clubfoot. He wears the Dobbs brace 14-16 hours/7days. he has no problem wearing it or keeping his feet in it, but it seems like whenever I look at it lately that his heel is not totally down in the pocket, like I'm sure it should be. I know that it takes awhile for the heal to "come down", but he's been wearing the brace now for about 10 months, and is walking now too. We don't want to lose any correction, and want to make sure that this is on correctly. Does anyone else have this problem?--or is this a problem that I should be alarmed about. I know that we are putting the brace on correctly--and I've also read numerous posts on the yahoo group about how-to's. we go back to see Dr. Dobbs towards the end of August, but just wonder if we should maybe see him sooner.

Reply:

Niki and Mason,
Thanks for your posting to the message board!

Any time you have concerns please feel free to move up your appointment to see Dr. Dobbs.

Is Mason keeping his heels down when walking barefoot? and are you still able to stretch his ankles past neutral? If those are ok, he is probably fine but don't hesitate to contact me by phone or come in to be seen sooner if you have concerns.

Thanks again

Kristina - Nurse Coordinator

Initials: MMP
Date: 06/29/06
Email: marci21175@yahoo.com

My daughter Mollie is now 13 months. We too, were treated improperly for two and half months before finding Dr. Dobbs. He and Kristina are wonderful caring people and I trust them completely. Mollie's feet are doing and looking great. It's a hard bumpy road in the beginning, but with time and experience it does get better. If anyone has questions, I will be happy to help however I can.

Initials: SO
Date: 06/28/06
Email: jakcsoncken@netzero.com

My son has not been treated at this hospital but a friend of mine, his kids were treated here. My son was born with bilateral club feet in 02-16-05. He is now 16 months old. We live in Columbia, MO and I would love to meet people that have kids around my son's age so that he knows that he's not the only one in this area that was born with club foot. I hope you don't mind that I posted even thought we have not had treatment at this facility. Thanks for taking the time to read my post. If you live close to Columbia and would like to get together please email.

Initials: LT
Date: 6/25/06
Email: bltarver@yahoo.com

My son has clubfeet, was treated somewhere else for 8 months been seeing Dr. Dobbs since then. We love it the shoes are so much better on him then the DBB shoes the Dr. in Oklahoma tried. If anyone has a questions they can email.

Initials: AJG
Date: 6/20/06
Email: jagrindon@yahoo.com

Hi! Just thought I'd be the first to post to the new message board for clubfoot. My son Sammy is 21 months old and is a patient of Dr. Matthew Dobbs. We're currently in the maintenance phase of the clubfoot correction process and couldn't be more pleased with Sam's progress. His feet look fantastic! If anyone is interested in finding out more about the Ponseti method of clubfoot correction or Dr. Dobbs please feel free to contact me at the email address referenced here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Initials: Niki & Mason
Date: 5-23-05

Hi all! I was just so happy with our visit this past Monday with Dr. Dobbs that I had to share the news with everyone--Mason had a great checkup with Dr. Dobbs--he was very happy with his foot and his dorsiflexion, and had nothing but good things to say about Mason's progress. We went to the SHOP and they made a few modifications to his brace--changed the walking blocks on the bottom so they are shorter, also shortened the height of the outer shoes(much better now),lengthened the bar slightly and modified the inner booties slightly.--they were very helpful there.

We go back in 3 months for another checkup, and looking forward to some more great news with Dr. Dobbs and Kristina. Just wanted to share the good news!

Date: 11-06-06
Email: stephenie.oncken@dmh.mo.gov

Initials: AJG
Date: 3/7/07
Email: jagrindon@yahoo.com
Questions/comments

Stephanie,

Even though Sam is rolling around clunking his bar on the crib we have still not moved him out to a big boy bed yet. He is already 2 1/2! Yikes, I guess I better get moving on doing something about this, lol. The clunking doesn't seem to bother him though so I guess I've been waiting, trying to decide what to do myself. I've been thinking about just putting a mattress and box springs on the floor to start, I know that seems to be a common thing I hear from other parents (both with kids with clubfoot and without), but I may just brave it and go with the real bed and put rails up. Hmmm, a lot of help I am! Seriously, though I guess you just have to try it and see, my daughter slept with rails on her bed until she was almost 5 1/2 because she was afraid of falling out. I was sure she wouldn't but just left them on because they made her feel comfortable.

Best wishes and Happy Belated Birthday to Corey!

Initials: D.A.S.
Date: 03/09/07
Email: daldebg1us@yahoo.com

I found this message board for clubfeet. My son was born with both feet clubbed back in 1981..The doctors in Fla. where he was born did not know how clubfeet happen..I was reading some of the stories on this board and wanted to let ya'll know that even tho my son went thru cast,braces and operations..He is 25 years old and works full time and is going to be married this month..I am very proud of him..I hope this help ya'll to know how good children with clubfeet can do..Thanks for letting me tell my story..Debbie