Talipes Information and Parental Support Group
From: Mike and DeniseThomas <zulut@iafrica.com>
Dated 29 October 1998
Our son Cameron was born with Bilateral Talipes on the 7th
September 1998 in Richards Bay, South Africa. His one foot is mobile and the other rigid.
We were in an absolute quandry as to who to see. What was required was clear from the TIPS
site.
We visited about 3 orthopeadic surgeons, numerous GP's and a couple of Paediatric people. Each had a remedy of his own which confused us. We've eventually settled on a specialist in Durban, South Africa. The worrying factor is that Cameron only received his first plaster cast a month after birth. Last Friday 23rd October he had his second applied. The Specialist wants to apply every two weeks for six months after which an evaluation will take place.
Updated 24 November 1998
We visited specialist Friday 20th for next set of plasters. Cameron is now 9 and a half
weeks old and the prognosis is that surgery is required at about 6 months. He is also
battling the heat with those heavy plasters. He is to continue to receive new plasters
every 2 weeks until about end of March. His left foot is worst than his right with his big
toe deformed.
Updated 19 December 1998
We visited our Doctor on Friday 11th December for the next set of plaster
casts. After removing the casts his legs swell quite considerably with a lot of pain. The
frustrating thing is that we always look forward to seeing the Doctor to hear something
positive about Cameron's progress, but instead, he just manipulates his feet, plasters
them up again and says "see you in 2 weeks time"! I suppose he will only know
exactly what to do after six months in plaster?
Anyway Cameron is about 13 weeks old now and is generally a happy baby with lots of smiles
which is rewarding. The paediatrician is very happy with his progress which is
encouraging. We will keep you posted.
Updated 16 January 1999
Cameron had his plasters changed on 24th December and
Dr Frazer told us to return in three weeks instead of the two weeks which we were becoming
familiar with. This did not prove too successful as at the end of the second week his
casts were very soft due to him being very active. He kicks alot. Denise got very
innovative and put leggings over the casts. Needless to say, we had to return at the
beginning of the third week which was on Monday the 11th January.
His left foot still has not corrected itself much and his heel has not dropped. His right
foot is almost in the right position. It is, however, always difficult to assess with the
amount of swelling after removal of the casts prior to Doctor's visit.
Our next visit is scheduled for the 25th January after which he will keep that set of
casts for a further 2 weeks. Thereafter we've been told that he will have a 3 week break
from the casts, presumably to let the swelling to subside before undergoing surgery. We
are certainly not looking forward to the surgery as he has had a lot of discomfort
already.
Updated 5 March 1999
Cameron had his first operation last week on the 24th of
February. It lasted 3 hours and has been rather traumatic and remains so. Both Achilles
tendons were cut to release his heels; the blood vessels had to be re-arranged and so did
the bones in his feet. He was given a Cordial for anaesthitic and Panado Syrup and Stopane
for pain relief. Both Denise and Cameron stayed overnight in hospital and were discharged
the following day, Thursday. On Thursday evening he had a severe bout of runny tummy, no
vommitting. We spoke to a paediatrician on Friday morning who said that it is the after
effects of the anaesthic and all we could do was to administer panado every 3 hours or so.
It is now Friday a week later and he has severe Gastrow and is fed Electrolite solution,
but is terribly grumpy and uncomfortable. He is not sleeping much, certainly not at night
and it is being quite traumatic especially for Denise. We do not really know what to do
next.
He is due back in hospital on Wednesday 10th for his second op which will be to position
his feet in the correctly and to replace the pins. I am wondering whether the pins in his
feet at present are not the cause of his discomfort and stress? I remember reading one of
your emails from somebody who had a similar problem with the pins.