Archive for lower extremity
Diagnosed with clubfeet before he was born: Gabriel’s story
Cheryl Bratt and her wife, Sue, expected a routine visit when they went in for their 18-week ultrasound. Cheryl, a professor, had scheduled the test before her morning class. The radiologist was reassuring through the entire ultrasound — until the end. “Then she told us the baby had clubfeet and we needed to see a specialist.” Just ... Read More about Diagnosed with clubfeet before he was born: Gabriel’s story
When your baby has clubfoot: Answers for expecting parents
Treatment for clubfoot usually begins within a few weeks of a child’s birth. With prenatal ultrasound, parents often learn about clubfoot weeks or months before their child’s arrival. Below, Dr. Collin May of the Lower Extremity Program in Boston Children’s Orthopedic Center answers questions about how meeting with an orthopedic specialist can ease expecting parents’ ... Read More about When your baby has clubfoot: Answers for expecting parents
Foot deformity and amputation: Maria’s tough choice
Whenever she could, Maria Dupuis found a way to walk. She walked when she had to wear a cast from her chest to her ankles. She walked when the curve in her spine reached 94 degrees. When her right foot pointed up to the sky rather than straight ahead, she walked on her heel. Maria ... Read More about Foot deformity and amputation: Maria’s tough choice
Leg lengthening and hip surgeries inspire a career
Lauren Schoeller was in eighth grade when she decided to become an orthopedic surgeon. She had by then had multiple surgeries, many of them scheduled around spring softball season. Now 20 and studying premed at the University of New Hampshire, Lauren has had a total of 18 operations on her leg, hips, foot, and spine. ... Read More about Leg lengthening and hip surgeries inspire a career
Matt and Brendan: Post-op pals, for life
Eighteen-year-old Matt Freitas and 16-year-old Brendan Cogavin met as roommates at Boston Children’s Hospital, but that’s just a small part of why they’ve stayed in touch for the six years since. “Their relationship goes beyond knowing each other at their worst,” says Melissa, Matt’s mom. “Brendan is cool, smart, and tries hard at everything he ... Read More about Matt and Brendan: Post-op pals, for life
New hope for Caden’s leg after accident
By the time he was 12, Caden had spent almost half his life struggling to keep up with his peers. When he was 6, a lawnmower accident badly injured his leg. The injury disrupted his growth plate, and was having a significant effect on his growing limb, leading him to have knock-kneed alignment in his right leg. ... Read More about New hope for Caden’s leg after accident
George the unstoppable conquers leg-length discrepancy
George Davies, a senior at Bancroft School in Worcester, Massachusetts, faces every challenge, every obstacle and every situation with a sense of what’s possible. He rows varsity crew, plays the electric guitar, and after two years of independent research he’s off to Scotland’s University of St. Andrews to study biochemistry. Dr. James Kasser, Boston Children’s ... Read More about George the unstoppable conquers leg-length discrepancy