Timmy Jr's Clubfoot Journey

After years of struggles, on December 1st, 2021, Tim and Lacey were blessed with twins, Emma Ryan Bell, and Timothy Robert Bell Jr.  

 

 

While no serious health concerns were present, Timmy Jr. was born with grade 2 bilateral clubbed feet. While not life threatening, it will not self-correct, and requires treatment.  Clubbed feet are a result of a shortened achilles tendon preventing the foot from achieving proper alignment and being turned inward.  Causes are varied, but can be genetic, nervous system issues, placement of fetus during pregnancy, etc.

 

        Timmys feet at birth                                                                                              

 

The routine corrective actions for clubbed feet, are a series of casting where the foot is slightly re-aligned in minor increments until it achieves a proper alignment.  This series of casting is followed by a percutaneous achilles tenotomy, where the achilles tendon is lengthened.  The process was developed by Dr. Ignacio Ponseti after realizing that immediate surgery to correct clubbed feet often led to issues in adulthood.

From two weeks of age, Timmy Jr. has endured full leg casting weekly.  His casting appointments consist of the old cast being cut off, a bath and a short period (10-15 minutes) of “freedom” where he can kick his legs, then the application of a new set of casts.  When they started this journey, they were anticipating 5-6 sets of casts, then surgery.

 

 

            Timmy at 4 months with his full leg casts

 

 

While the phrase “every patient is unique” is entirely true, every parent or patient hopes their case falls under the “normal” category.  However, in their case, Timmy’s did not. To date, Timmy has had 11 sets of casts, and will be having at least another 3-4 sets before surgery.

They worked with several local surgeons, one of whom worked with Dr. Ponseti, and is very highly regarded in his field.  After many castings, visits, breaks from casts, new methods, etc., it was determined that Timmy’s feet had become atypical or complex, meaning that the routine treatment for one reason or another did not work.  

 

                 Timmys feet at 4 months old

 

 

Some of the key indicators of an atypical or complex clubbed foot are the retraction of the big toe, creasing in the sole, and puffiness.  Unfortunately for Timmy, he is currently experiencing all of these symptoms along with sores on his feet and backs of knees due to the prolonged casting.

In countless hours of researching, googling, reading articles, social media groups, etc. they have found a Dr. Matthew Dobbs at the Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute, who is a world renowned pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in clubbed feet and spine issues.  Dr. Dobbs has worked with Dr. Ponseti and contributed to Dr. Ponseti’s final paper before Dr. Ponseti passed away in 2009.  One of the final steps in correcting clubbed feet is the use of a device known as “boots and bars” which is just as it sounds, a pair of boots, with a bar in between them that is worn 23 hours a day to help maintain foot position.  The more accurate name for this device is The Dobbs Bar, named after Dr. Dobbs.

 

 

This brings us to current day.  The next step in their journey will lead to them to Dr. Dobbs, in hopes that one of the best in the world can provide the care that Timmy needs to correct his feet so he can grow up and terrorize his Mom and Dad, run, rip and tear, get scraped knees, get into trouble, probably break a bone here or there (god knows his Dad did!), and most importantly enjoy a quality of life that all children deserve.  

In order to receive care by Dr. Dobbs, the family will need to temporarily relocate to Florida for treatment. 

Relocating will be extremely costly, and the treatment itself will also be thousands of dollars-- with payment required at time of service. 

Please consider donating to help this family with medical care, travel expenses, and accommodations. All funds will be donated directly to the family.

Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and generosity.