Questions to ask your doctor before treatment begins:

About the doctor:

• What has your experience with clubfoot been like?

• How many clubfoot children are you treating at the time?

• Do you have designated clubfoot clinic days?

• In what ways do you vary from the Ponseti Method? 

• Expected treatment? And timeline?

• How soon will we get treatment started once baby is born?

Casting:

• When is your ideal time to start the casting process of newborns?

• Plaster or soft-roll fiberglass?

• Do you cast or does a cast tech?

• How much time should we reserve for a casting appt?

• How many casts do you anticipate?

• Do you or the parent remove the cast? How do you remove the cast?

• If a cast slips, how soon should we get in for an appt? take off at home?

• If I notice a swelling foot what should I do?

• What do you recommend for the top pf the cast pinching, rubbing, or chaffing?

Relapse:

• What relapse rate do you see?

• How do you treat relapse?

Atypical/complex clubfoot:

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• Does my child have atypical/complex clubfoot?

• If yes, how will the treatment plan differ now?

• How has your experience been recognizing and treating atypical/complex clubfoot?

Tenotomy (Achilles Tendon Clip)

• General or local anesthesia?

• How long will the tenotomy cast stay on?

• Why type of tenotomy do you perform?

• What type of scar/incision can we expect?

Bracing:

• How long for 23 hour wear?

• What boots and bars do you use?

• If your initial bar recommendation is a Ponseti bar, what is the ease of getting a Dobbs bar?

• Does the orthotist come here, or do I have to go to the orthotists’ office?

• How long do you anticipate my child wearing BNB?

• What do you recommend for blisters, red spots, bruising, pressure sores, etc…?

Other:

• How do you feel about additional therapies: stretches, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, kinesiotaping, estim?

• Do you offer any parent support programs for clubfoot families?

• Ease of contacting your office or you directly?

*Disclaimer*

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The information compiled is from clubfoot family experiences, and the medical community. Doctors and those in the medical field have opinions that may differ. This document is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your doctor with questions. Every clubfoot situation and every clubfoot child's treatment plan may differ slightly.