Talipes Together | Club Foot Support Network

Louis’ story 18 “Boots and bar off!!!!"

Well, what a great weekend we have had! On Friday we met Mr Stephens in Temple St for Louis’ 3 months check-up in boots and bar (now been wearing them for 23 hours/day for 7 months). As we had been told by Temple St the boots and bar will stay on full time for 12 months we were not expecting any more than “how is he getting on?”, “ah, that’s grand and we’ll see you in three months, bye”, so you can imagine my reaction when Mr Stephens said that Louis’ feet look great and as he is so active (crawling and pulling up to standing on everything) there is no need any longer for his boots and bar to be on full time! And not just that, we can have them off all day – except nap time and night sleep. Wow!!! The English consultant (see blog no 17) had said the same a couple of weeks earlier but as he is treated by Temple St it was amazing to her them say the same! His boots where also changed from 60 degree angle down to 40. Then he said that Anna (nurse) will sort him out with some boots for when he is standing. This is a bit weird we think... We were given a pair of the white leather Markell boots, but without the bar, and where told to put them on him when he is playing. But we were told to go to a cobbler to get gripping soles on the underside as the child will slip otherwise. Has anyone else gone through this? I am totally perplexed as to why we were given these boots as they are clearly not for walking! She said they will prevent the feet turning in. It all sound a little “home made” to me. I have never come across it in all my research... Please let me know if you have!

So anyway, what a great feeling it is to see your baby crawling about all free! Lookout world! It was big celebrations at the weekend and it is hard to believe that it has actually happened. I almost miss people staring, whispering and asking “what is that” at his boots and bar! The only thing is now that I have to put them off and on three times per day which is easier said than done with a 10 month old wriggly worm!

Back for next check-up in 2 months at Temple St.

Please go to “Louis’ story 19”, and read on....

Tags: Louis's story

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Comment by Aisling Carroll on August 6, 2010 at 11:22: That's great news, Mia. At our last check-up (when Aaron was 10 months old), we were told the same. It's so encouraging. At that appointment, I bumped into Anna and asked her about what kind of shoes I should be buying for Aaron, for when he started cruising. She said just to get him ones with good ankle support. I recently bought him a pair of Start Rite ones in Cripps in Terenure (as recommended by another poster on this site!). I've never heard of the Markell boots being used without the bar. Then again, Aaron has talipes only in one foot and didn't require a tenotomy.

Comment by Mia Barry on August 5, 2010 at 11:46: Thanks Audrey! Suppose we just have to grin and bear it... I have sent an email to the UK consultant Louis saw a few weeks ago just to see what her take on it is. Will let you all know what she says.

Comment by Audrey Twyford on August 5, 2010 at 11:18: Mia, that's brilliant news. Isn't it so rewarding to hear good news when least expecting it? Alex wore the Markell boots until she was 4 and went into the AFOs. We originally had the white open toe version and moved onto the white closed toe. We had to go to a house is Phibsboro to buy then (£65IR at the time). Anyway, yes they are very slippy on the sole, like wedding shoes so we had to scrape the soles before allowing her to wear them but as soon as they were scraped, she was fine and once outside on the concrete, they lost the slippy surface. We never had any problems with them but they are not the most comfy for them walking in as they are rock hard and the sole doesn't bend but they get very used to it as they know no different so try not to worry about it. Alex wore her shoes 24 hours a day which was a bit of a pain as when she was out and about, they got very dirty and not ideal for bed after that so we used to put a sock over them in bed.

Best of luck with them and enjoy the moments when he starts to walk properly because you just feel so thankful that our children were born in a time and a country where clubfoot is treated and our kids will walk.

Comment by Mairead Mc Cabe on August 3, 2010 at 10:16: Wow Mia thats wonderful news. Not sure about the boots though? i would be looking into that.