Nolan’s Clubbed Foot Journey…
Becoming a first-time mom comes with its own bundle of anxiety – changing hormones, body image concerns, worrying about numerous doctor’s appointments, and planning for the new reality of bringing a baby into the world. The last thing on my mind was the correction process for a clubbed foot over the next 5 years.
Photo of Nolan’s left crooked foot, photo taken the morning before his first casting.
During our 20-week anatomy scan, we eagerly anticipated seeing more details of our growing little boy. The ultrasound tech revealed the normal and healthy aspects of his development, except for one concern: his foot appeared a bit crooked inward. This prompted a second opinion and a follow-up scan with another doctor.
The confirmation came – our little boy showed early signs of a clubbed foot. I felt a sense of failure, questioning if it was due to my diet, missed prenatal vitamins, or the size of my stomach. However, our doctor reassured me that sometimes these things happen, and I had done nothing wrong. With no genetic link, the cause remained unknown, but the good news was that it was completely fixable.
Armed with homework to research the disorder, we delved into reviews, support pages, and the Ponseti Method before our son was born. A consultation with the Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon was scheduled a month and a half before my due date. The game plan for the next 5 years was outlined – casting, tenotomy surgery, boots and bars, and gradual correction.
On June 17, Nolan Michael was born with a left clubbed foot, just as predicted. Thanks to our pre-birth preparation, the next three weeks were spent cherishing time with our newborn, appreciating his precious little crooked foot.
The journey involved five casts, including the one post-tenotomy surgery. The surgery was challenging, mainly due to the need to restrict nursing in preparation for anesthesia. However, it was swift, and soon we were in the final cast.
Now, at almost 8 months old, Nolan is comfortable in his boots and bar. We chose Dr. James Gregory at OU Children’s in Oklahoma City, and he and his team have been welcoming and supportive from the start. We highly recommend him and OU Children’s. As we approach milestones like crawling and standing, the entire corrective process feels like a distant memory.
