The Shoe Never Lies

Was cleaning out the hall closet and found Matthew's running shoes from last year.  What an eye opener.

Do you see it?  The shoes NEVER lie.  On the left are Matthew's shoes from this year, on the right, from last year.  Do you see the wear marks on that green left shoe?  That was how much he was walking on the side of his foot.

 Here is another view.

For the first time in years and years, Matthew's foot finally seems to be stabilizing.  Finally, we have progress without the steps back.  The end of June marks one full year without a cast and no cast in the immediate future.  That little foot is getting stronger, starting to hold correction.  That little boy (not so little anymore) is working hard to walk straight, to keep his heel down, to try and walk heel toe.

 Funny how an old shoe can bring such joy.

A Really Good Update

Onto an update.  A Really good update.  Which, after almost a year since the last time seeing Dr. Dobbs, is really remarkable.

The following is the email I sent to Dr.  Dobbs and Kristina Porter.

Hi Dr. Dobbs and Kristina Porter,

It has been quite awhile since Matthew has been in to see you.  I believe his last appointment was June 29, 2011.  Right now, his foot is looking really good and was not sure when I should bring him down again.  Although I love to come down and see everyone and hear that his foot is great, it is a long expensive trip to find out all is well.  If it is possible, I would love to send photos and video and have you let me know if you think there is a problem and if he needs to come in.

Anyways, here is what he is doing right now.

The shoes that he wears the majority of the time have a lift in the left shoe.

He wears his AFO at school Monday to Friday, but doesn't wear it all the time on the weekends.  We do E-stim at home a few times a week as well as I try to stretch him at home.

He does physio once a week, where he gets their stronger E-stim machine, stretching and kinesio taping that I leave on for about 3 days.

We are working on getting him to walk heel toe rather then toe heel (out of his AFO).  It comes out as a flat foot hitting the ground rather then a true heel strike.

He can lift his foot to neutral, and I can stretch it to maybe 5 degrees above.  I think his physiotherapist can get it higher.  I can check with him for you.

He is still getting more lateral motion.

I am noticing the front of his foot is turning in a bit, but his talus is still in proper position.

I am sending along photos and a few links to video of him moving his foot and walking if that can help with your assessment.  If you need more angles (or better ones) please let me know.

Lifting his foot as high as he can

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqdbZz_UrPM&feature=youtu.be

Lifting and then turning his foot. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6ry-aa_D1Y&feature=youtu.be

Walking (front view) trying to walk heel toe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No1_s90y2y4&feature=youtu.be

Walking (side view)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD6NRNx-dzE&feature=youtu.be

Let me know what you think of his foot as well as when you think he needs to come back.

Thanks

I received great news after that email.   Dr. Dobbs was impressed by his foot and feels that he doesn't need to go back this June.  In fact, he said this

I think Matthew looks great; you can hold off in coming back at this time.  Following with video is very useful.  He has made good progress.  How does he tolerate the e-stim at this time?  Has he had an MRI of both legs done at some point?

We can post-pone follow-up for another year.  Just keep me posted as to his progress.

All the best,

Matthew Dobbs, MD

Another YEAR?!?!  To me, those are words I thought I would NEVER hear!  

Now the doubting Thomas in me says that we can hold off for now, but will most likely be back in the fall.  But for now, those have been the best words I have heard about his foot in... well.... forever.   I let Matthew read the email and he did a jump and shout "yay".  Even he realizes how great that news is.

 So for now, we are on the high of good news.  And on to baseball season.  Matthew just may pitch this year.   More on that later.  For now, we need to savior and celebrate.

Perspective

I can’t believe Matthew is one year post-op today. Here is where you can find out more about his surgery. While we waited for hours in the waiting room, I was visualizing where he would be a year later. It is kind of a bitter sweet day. I had thought that by now the curvature in his foot would be corrected and that he would be able to hold his foot in neutral. And the biggest wish, I had hoped he would have a heel strike when he walked. So, here we are at a year and his foot is still curved, he does not have a heel strike, and he is facing more surgery within the next 6-10 months.

I have to keep reminding myself. His foot will never be normal, but it can be better. If I stop comparing him to regular kids and start comparing him to him, things seem better. Here is what I mean. The following photos were taken a year apart. There is a lot of improvement.

Jan 2008


Jan 2009


See, better. Not normal, but better. Also, you can see where I got the title for this blog in that last pic. His foot is now a good 2 sizes smaller then the other.

Jan 2008 he could not put his foot flat on the ground


Jan 2009 darn close to flat!


Jan 2008


Jan 2009 not much improvement and his calf muscle is even smaller then ever


Now for the best part. He is able to move his foot to neutral and hold it there. Well, not quite neutral. But he can move it upwards and hold it. Something he has never been able to do before.


So, after a year of surgery, botoxing, casting, AFO's, physio, and most importantly running, playing and being a kid, we have success. Matthew teaches me new meaning to that word every day. This journey that we are on is still long but I have no doubt that this little foot will take him where ever he can dream.