Sorry it has taken me so long to report how things went w/the Orthopedic. First & foremost I need to express my complete disgust in the health care system. After making us wait an hour to be seen (yes I know it could've been worse) the Dr. strode in to the office, spoke to us for maybe 5 min, moved Addy's ankles a bit & made her stand up. After this, he says that he thinks that he will write us a script for SMO's w/a VERY BRIEF explanation that they are small ankle height braces that she will have to wear for 3 months. At this point he walks out & says he'll be back with the script. I start asking hubby a bunch of questions like what are they exactly, does she need to get shoes w/them, how do you get them & all other basic information one would think would be supplied w/out needing to ask. Hubby tells me to calm down & ask when the doc returns with the script. Yeah, he never did! He sent some woman in w/it & when I asked her the questions she said she didn't know!!! Then I reiterated at the front desk that I was given a script w/3 letters on it & had no clue what to do with it. Do I just swing by a drug store & pick them up or do I need to go to a medical supply place? She ended up giving me a card & saying if I have more questions to call the Dr's personal assistant the next morning when she will be in! Seriously???!! Why even make a friggin' appt?
So after leaving I am forced to make a ton of phone calls over a 2 hr time frame only to learn that I need to make yet another appt with what is called an Orthotist. At this appt. they put casts on her feet & have to saw them off. These are used for the measurement to make the braces which will take about 2 weeks. We have this appt tomorrow morn & I am a wreck over her freaking out when they saw them off. I am also just feeling overwhelmed by the whole thing. After the appt from hell, I called both my Dr (who recommended him) & my PT & they both supported the decision to get the SMO's but to go back to another Orthopedic after she has been wearing them for a month, to see how she is doing. The jerk I saw didn't even want to check on her progress. Just wanted me to come back after the 3 months were up! My PT was appalled by the whole thing. My Dr could've showed more remorse.
So after researching them what I've learned is that they are not very intrusive & have really come a long way in design. She will have to wear socks & shoes while they are on which will be different as she has not been allowed to wear any shoes until now. So she will go from barefoot to braces & shoes. There is one specific brand called SureSteps that seem to be the best & I will fight to get these for her. If you check out the link, you can see what they look like http://www.surestep.net/why.php. I'm not sure how she is going to deal with the whole thing but I am remaining hopeful & praying that they do the job. My poor little stink really wants to walk & both of us seem to be getting a bit discouraged. Please keep us in prayer as we jump this hurdle. I will update once we get her braces!
So after leaving I am forced to make a ton of phone calls over a 2 hr time frame only to learn that I need to make yet another appt with what is called an Orthotist. At this appt. they put casts on her feet & have to saw them off. These are used for the measurement to make the braces which will take about 2 weeks. We have this appt tomorrow morn & I am a wreck over her freaking out when they saw them off. I am also just feeling overwhelmed by the whole thing. After the appt from hell, I called both my Dr (who recommended him) & my PT & they both supported the decision to get the SMO's but to go back to another Orthopedic after she has been wearing them for a month, to see how she is doing. The jerk I saw didn't even want to check on her progress. Just wanted me to come back after the 3 months were up! My PT was appalled by the whole thing. My Dr could've showed more remorse.
So after researching them what I've learned is that they are not very intrusive & have really come a long way in design. She will have to wear socks & shoes while they are on which will be different as she has not been allowed to wear any shoes until now. So she will go from barefoot to braces & shoes. There is one specific brand called SureSteps that seem to be the best & I will fight to get these for her. If you check out the link, you can see what they look like http://www.surestep.net/why.php. I'm not sure how she is going to deal with the whole thing but I am remaining hopeful & praying that they do the job. My poor little stink really wants to walk & both of us seem to be getting a bit discouraged. Please keep us in prayer as we jump this hurdle. I will update once we get her braces!
8 comments:
Laura said...
So sorry that it was such a challenging process. That's no fun. I'll be praying for you and Addy!
Alison said...
What a crappy experience :( Ortho's are surgeons by trade, which often makes them a little more "robotic" in nature. I hope you have better luck with the next one you follow up with!
And I'm sure Addy will do great with her orthotics - good luck at the appt today!
Andrea said...
Oh Dawn!
I'm so sorry! Not sure if you know, but Lleyton has been seeing a pediatric ortho since he was born. Due to his breech position it was believed he might have hip displaysia. He's been followed carefully by the most wonderful, young, intelligent pedi ortho. We've gone for ultrasounds at the pediatric hospital here in Memphis and so far no need for a brace....so I feel what you're going through.
Did that Doctor not offer up an ultrasound? Lleyton's Dr's all moved his hips around, but wanted a scan too. Hummm? I'm with you, I'm not crazy about this Dr. Was he even a pediatriac ortho? That makes such a difference. My gut instinct tells me that as a Mommy I might just want a second opinion from a pedi ortho. Someone who gives you some time and doesn't pass you along with no information. Some Dr's make me crazy! Anymore, if I don't like them I move on and I tell the admin people why. We wouldn't accept this type treatment from any other service people, so why accept it from someone who merely has the initials D-R in front of their name.
Okay, enough on my rant. Just want sweet Addy's feet to get corrected. I had problems like this as a child too. Wore corrective shoes and braces :) And I'm all good today!
BIG HUGS
Nat said...
How frustrating! I can't believe the Dr. would do that--especially to first time parents who haven't been through that before.
The casting isn't as scary as it sounds, and neither is sawing it off. I freaked out the first time one of my kids had a cast sawed off, and when it happened to my #4 (twice) in January it wasn't a huge deal. That was for broken bones, though.
Good luck! I hope everything works out and that Addy will be walking soon!
LuckyOnce said...
What a nightmare! Hope the braces do the trick, and that the whole process goes by quickly.
CeCe said...
Ugh, sounds frustrating. Wishing the three of you all the best with this hurdle!
Thanks for your note on my blog- I appreciate it.
Fumbling towards Motherhood said...
What an awful experience with the doctor Dawn. Keep the faith though. Adelyn will be more resilient than you will ever imagine. My cousin had to have both his legs broken by doctors twice in his first year of life to correct severe bow legs. It was amazing how he simply adapted. He learned to crawl & sit up with his two little casts on. He was walking soon after they were taken off. He didn't know any better so although it was difficult to see him in that situation he was a happy little baby!
Kailyn's Mommy said...
Some Dr's really have NO bedside manner. I have working in the field for the past 13 years and have come across all kinds.
I really hope these work for her and I think they will. BTW happy 1st B-day to Addie! I haven't been on in awhile. ADORABLE pics. DId you have that piece of pizza yet?? BFing can be hard enough alone, without having to deal with a strict diet like you had to. You are an amazing Mommy and she is one lucky little girl to have you.