The Boy With Two Good Feet

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Do you see anything wrong with these feet?

No?

Neither do I. But a few months ago, they looked like this:
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The condition is called Congenital Talipes Equinovarus, but is commonly called "clubfoot." Treatment, when you can treat it in the first few months of life is low-tech. It involves stretching the ligaments and tendons once a week, then placing casts on the feet to hold them in position. It requires several weeks of casts, followed by a procedure to release the tight tendon in the back of the ankle. The babies must then wear a special splint at all times, "24/7" for 3 months, followed by a period of 3 years of wearing the splint while asleep. That requires a lot of commitment on the part of the parents.

I'm learning to treat clubfoot. Learning from books, the web, anyone who has some knowledge and experience. So far I have treated about 14 babies. The problem is, when the feet get to looking pretty good (about the end of the casting) parents stop bringing the babies in. I have several splints that I made for babies who never came back to get them. That's why I was so happy to see Isaiah on Thursday. He's been wearing his splints full-time for 3 months, and gets to "graduate" to wearing them at night and for naps. He looks really good, as you can see for yourself.

While we're on the topic of talipes, another of my kids got his new splint on Thursday, and since he's a cute baby and all, I thought I'd show him as well.

The splints are home-made. Commercially-made splints exist, but out of our price range, not to mention all the logistic problems of getting the splints shipped here, getting new ones as the kids grow, etc. So home-made is working out for now. I need baby shoes, though, if anyone is interested in sending some.

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