Charlize's Clubfoot Surgery

Hi, this is our daughter Charlize Marie. Charlize was born four years ago with a clubfoot. A clubfoot is a type of birth defect that affects 1 in 1,000 babies.  Without medical interventions children with this condition will not be able to walk properly or at all. Charlize's clubfoot was diagnosed as being a complex clubfoot which only affects 5% of children diagnosed with  clubfoot.  When Charlize was one week old we began treatment. We did a lot of research throughout my entire pregnancy and agreed that the non-invasive form of treatment called the Ponseti Method would be best. We found an orthopedic in NYC that was certified in the Ponseti Method and started her leg casting/manipulating at one week old. Charlize continued receiving weekly casts for 6 weeks then had a tenotomy and was casted again. Charlize's foot didn't always respond the way the doctors had assumed it would.  Charlize has been receiving  physical therapy since the age of one which has helped to prolong her relapse.  Charlize then had to undergo another tenotomy and has been wearing night time orthotics since the age of 4 months. Typically many children that are treated using the Ponseti Method  are done with their clubfoot treatment by age 3-4,  however Charlize has needed many more interventions than other children with clubfoot. At her most recent orthopedic check up they recommended tendon transfer surgery in an effort to finally fully correct her foot due to the fact that even with physical therapy and her night time orthotics her foot is beginning to relapse.  We felt it was important to receive a second opinion before moving forward with the surgery, especially because her previous orthopedic was unable to correct  her foot  properly.  After more research and many recommendations from other parents of children with clubfoot, we flew to see one of the best clubfoot orthopedic doctors in the country, Dr. Matthew Dobbs. After meeting him and his amazing staff we could see why he came so highly regarded.  Dr. Dobbs  is located in St. Louis, Missouri and unfortunately  our insurance does not cover this doctor but we know that having Charlize's tendon transfer and tendon lengthening surgery with him would give her the best chance of not relapsing.  The orthopedic in NYC does not do preop casting or the tendon lengthening surgery during their tendon transfer which raises the risk of yet another relapse and possibly more surgery for Charlize.  Charlize's surgery with Dr. Dobbs  is scheduled for this March 2017  and we will be traveling to  the St. Louis Children's hospital for her to receive two preop casts and then also follow up for two more post op casts.  If we did not chose to move forward with her surgery her foot would continue to relapse and cause her to lose the ability to walk. It's been a long journey for her but we are very hopeful that this is a step in the right direction.  Thank you for taking the time to read her story. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much!