[CGM]

Looking for info on anyone who has a child that has worn a leg brace?? My son has been under the watchful eye of an ortho since we brought him home ~ his lower leg bone (in both legs) is twisted...they said it often straightens on its own ~ but Nicho's right leg is not improving ~ he sees the specialist again on Tuesday ~ they have ruled out any hip problems~ he mentioned a brace may be the next step ~ ANYONE with any experience please?? Greatly appreciated ~thank you ~

[jaymo]

Catherine,

I have no personal experience but a friend's older brother had twisted legs and had to wear braces as a child .... he is over 30 now, a dad himself and walks correctly --although sometime with a minor limp. Good luck at the doc's, I will have good thoughts that day for you and Nicho!
Maura.

[soon2bemom]

It really depends on what type of "twisted bone" it is. That is what you need to find out.

If it is tibial torsion, this usually resolves about 75-80% on its own, and I would only treat if it was very severe. The child will likely never be a star soccer player because he will have a greater tendency to trip. In most circumstances I do NOT recommend braces for tibial torsion, as the positive impact of leg braces is minimal, it takes years to make any difference at all, and the braces make sleeping absolutely miserable for the child. My older child had tibial torsion, and as an adult it is barely noticeable. We used foot/leg braces for 4 months, and it didn't look like it had helped at all so we gave up. He would cry all night and it broke our hearts to hear him so miserable.

If the child has femoral anteversion, then you really should see a pediatric orthopedic specialist and do whatever they tell you to, including surgery if they recommend it, as this does NOT get better with time.

If the child has fixed metatarsus adductus or equinovarus I would definitely go with braces and casting if your pediatric orthopedist recommends it because this is the twisted bone condition which responds very very well and quickly to treatment. You can make a big difference in the life of a child by treating these aggressively

[csw]

Hi
soon2bemom..is the tibial torsion the same as being bow legged? Our son from Peru was severely bow legged..back in the early 90's the doc said they would have to break his legs and cast them etc..to straighten them and we said no..they never mentioned braces, maybe they weren't popular back then..you are right about the star soccer player thing..he stlil runs very bow legged and has alot of trouble with sports..

[soon2bemom]

Bow legged is known as a varus deformity in medical terms. All children pass through a normal varus phase between 9 months and 2 years. Most children come out of varus completely, and then go into valgus (knock-knees) around age 3 or 4. Then their legs become straight.

A very few children have varus worse than others. Nonresolving varus can be congenital, it can be related to hypocalcemic rickets, or to early walking. (It is for this reason that I recommend parents not strongly encourage walking before 8-10 months.) For what to do about non resolving varus I would speak with a pediatric orthopedist.

[CGM]

Thank you SOON2Be ~ I will ask all these questions on Tuesday ~ the Dr. is a pediatric ortho that has seen him once before ~ we also had a second ortho/second opinion and they both told us the same thing ~ to watch and wait ~ they did not want to see him again till his 2nd bday ~ which is March ~ but we are headed in early as I am very concerned. I do not recall them giving the condition a "name" ~ they just explained the twist~ and ruled out any hip problems... this time I will ASK and get some accurate answers. THANK YOU!

[CGM]

Nicho says thanks

[KellyMigoya]

OMG I am in love with him.
Glad you are back from time out.

[pmgor]

Oh boy you are in trouble, those are some seriously adorable dimples!!! Miguel is a dimple boy too and the girls just adore him. We will be in trouble!!!

Keep us updated on his medical situation, I don't know much about it. Miguel's legs seemed pretty bowed for quite a while but now they are pretty straight. I think also because his legs are shorter they seem sort of "out of proportion" and he walks weird. I don't know it does seem to be getting better.

Good luck to you!

[frida_94601]

Hi, When my sister was small she had somewhat the same issue as well as her bone deteriorating sorry if I miss spelled. She had to where I plastic cast that was customed made for her leg, it would strap on with regular velcro, for support. It did not seem to bother her none. She is now 25 and walks perfectly fine. I am sure everything will be fine technology is more advanced.

Lillian

[moelladeville]

Oh, he is so precious! What a great photo, and such a cute smile. Look out girls

I actually wore a bar on my feet when I was little, as both of my feet were turned out. I am told they would turn the shoes inward a little each week until my feet were straight. I have no memory of it, and no lasting effects!

Marjorie

[mamalulu6]

Nicho...you are a DOLL!!! I could look at your sweet face all day. Love, Luanne

[dgettel]

My son's foot turned in when I first brought him home. It was way more noticable in the summer than in the winter. He just turned 3 and you really cannot tell any more that there was ever a problem. I don't know what will happen later, but waiting worked for me. I hope yours goes as well.

diane

[wvamom]

I have no advice--just wanted to say, Nicho is such a cutie! I love that grin--whatever the leg problem, it sure doesn't seem to affect his personality.
Good luck!
Carolyn

[amie-b]

my daughter was born club footed. she worn casts and braces since she was under 1 month old. her foot was twisted as was her leg. they just did her last surgery last week and fixed hte tendons in her leg. they said that the bones of the shins tendot turn on small babies but usually straighten themselves out. as for braces, she wore a "plastic cast" that velcro'ed around her knees and leg. it didn't stop her. she was quite mobile in it. hope they figure this out for Nicho.

amie