Talipes Together | Club Foot Support Network

Louis’ story 28 “Dr Check-up at 2 years old”

Hi everyone!

Time flies.... It felt like yesterday we were sitting in the waiting room at Temple St, Dublin, and it was about 6 months ago already! So on Friday we were back for our regular foot check-up. Like I just mentioned, it had been about 6 months since our last visit so there we were in this very familiar place waiting and waiting in a very familiar way. We were delighted to meet Lorraine and Daniel (members of TT) in the waiting room. It was great to see the two boys on their feet running around!

Anyway, we finally saw a consultant. As usual they say their name too quick to register and barely look up from their PC. But he was delighted with Louis’ feet!! Yippeee! I didn’t expect any different reaction, but it still feels like you have “aced” a test or something when they say his feet are great! He bent his feet and made him walk a little, said well done and come back in 9 months!

He did say that the next stage to watch out for is around 3 years of age. This is when the tendon that is attached at the top of the foot (where the bump is on grown ups) can start to pull, making the foot turn in, and this happens to 1 in 4 clubfoot children. If this happens they tend to operate. Gulp – fingers crossed we are not the 1 in 4....

I asked if anyone had replaced Mr Stephens (as he has retired) as “top expert” on clubfoot, but he said no, they are all working together about 4 consultants in Temple St and a couple in Crumlin. I said that the Crumlin team meet expectant mothers and give them a run down of what to expect. I said that would be wonderful if Temple St would do the same? He said yes, that is a very good idea and that he is happy for that to happen. When I was asked to see the plaster nurses about this they said they need to get all the consultants go ahead before this happens and there is one or two who are not keen... I said I strongly recommend that this will happen as this is the feedback from all Irish members on Talipes Together. They are to get back to me on this, so watch this space!

So off me and Louis toddled, happy and contented for another 9 months!

My last blog mentioned Louis had very red strap marks from the boots. I decided to reduce by one hole and it has made a huge difference. These two pics (taken under water in the bath, but you get the drift) shows improvement and today you can barely see a mark! Pfew!

Strap marks before.

Strap marks after releasing by one hole.

Don’t forget to check out www.cleverclothingclub.com for winter offers!

Mia & Louis

See next blog no 29!

Tags: Crumlin, Louis' story, Temple St, boots and bar, clubfoot, strap marks

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Comment by Lorraine Dowling on December 9, 2011 at 1:11: Hi Mia, was lovely to meet ye and great to see Louis on his feet ,last time I saw him he was only a baba.Our appointment was for two and we were seen at four , its a great credit to the kids to behave so well as i was ready to crack up waiting!

Well as for my scamp , the consultant Mr Byrne had to introduce himself as Daniel went in, shook his hand and walked over to the nurse and shook hers also and said he was very pleased to meet them !!!!

He asked Daniel to walk and stretched his feet , he has a tendency to walk on the outside of them. I also showed him his Nimco boots which have had the heels replaced twice in 3 months , but all in all he was happy with progress.He also mentioned that op about tendon transfer but its a wait and see game.

Daniel still attends Cappagh where they are trying to source another boot for him , he can get out onto the side of all his boots!

It would be brilliant for expectant parents to meet with the team, we have our little girl whose feet thankfully are fine but i wondered often during the pregnancy and Mullingar aren't in any rush to do extra scans so I didn't know until she was born.

Louis and Sophia are gorgeous , sorry I didn't cop it was you sooner.

Lorraine

Comment by Mia Barry on December 8, 2011 at 13:22: Well, if it's not broken, why fix it... So I will stay with Temple St for now. However, if I was expecting and attending Rotunda or Holles St (you will automatically be sent to Temple St) I would strongly consider going to Crumlin instead as they seem to be a bit more open to customer service and their expertise is updated constantly as far as I know which is great!

Comment by Denise Mullins on December 7, 2011 at 22:30: Brilliant news Mia...delighted for ye. Totally get what you mean by the 'ace the test' feeling you get when you get good feedback in the hospital! It's such a high! Hopefully see you soon x

Comment by Audrey Twyford on December 7, 2011 at 19:59: Fantastic! Well done Louis (and Mia). I heard in Crumlin last week that Mr Stephen's had retired (he performed Alex's last op in Temple Street. The consultant told me that a lot of his patients had been transferred to Crumlin. Enjoy the next 9 months of no hospital visits. What will you do? Are you happy to stay with the consultants in Temple Street or would you consider transferring?