#talipes

I had a first with my orthotics last Friday -

I forgot I was wearing them!

Now this might not seem like much, but these things are kind of hard to miss and do things to my feet and lower legs which my feet and lower legs are not used to. So I'm sort of hyper aware of them most of the time.

However, on Friday, I totally forgot I had them on. I stood up to go clean my teeth before going to bed and realised I was still wearing them.

Normally on a Friday I take them off after my PT session, but last week I had to put them back on after my shower because huddy and I needed to go shopping. When we got back I puttered around, sat down to watch some TV, and utterly forgot about them.

This makes me very happy.

I am about to embark on a new adventure!

I was born with a condition called talipes (club foot), which I have severely in both feet. Over my childhood I had five different surgeries to help, but I was born in the 70s, and it was a bit wild-west back then, as far as treatments went. I had a superb surgeon, but things have come on a lot since.

I believe in the early 90s a new treatment came in which is much more successful across the board, but those of us pre that were a bit more on the experimental side. 😆

This means that my ankles are virtually fused (they move a few millimetres in each direction, no more), and I walk on my toes and part of the ball of my foot, since I cannot put my heels down.

Through most of my life I've just dealt with it, but I am now of an age where I need more help. I've been using crutches for walking outside the house for years, but I am about to try something new!

I am having my first fitting for foot orthotics on Feb 8th.

An orthosis is “an externally applied device used to influence the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal system”. (Yes I got that from the website of The London Orthotic Consultancy who are the lovely people my hubby found when looking online for solutions.)

I didn't even know these were an option, but back in Dec I went to see them and they examined my feet and lower legs, and scanned and measured them.

I learned so much. I always thought that I couldn't bear anyone touching the inside of my ankle very hard because there is a scar there. But no. Turns out there is a tendon or muscle there (can't remember which) that is what allows us to go on tippy toes. Mine is always at full stretch and never gets a chance to rest, so it's very sensitive.

For my height I should also be around a UK size 7, but my feet are only 3 1/2 in length, which screws up my stride pattern.

Hi, my name is Grace, I was born with congenital bilateral talipes equinovarus in my left foot. After having two corrective surgeries as a baby I faced some difficulties with the after effects of that, more so than ever I am in so much pain all the time, I have had to quit my job and college so that I could relieve myself from some of the pain. I need to walk with a crutch now and at the age of 23, I have arthritis. I have been told by doctors that there is nothing that can be done, I was born with it so I have to deal with the pain. This has affected me mentally as I just want to be able to walk properly and keep up with everyone else. Short of amputation this is apparently the next best thing and also my only hope, it is unfortunately not funded by the NHS so I will need to pay for this myself and it would mean so much to me if I could be helped on that journey to getting there.

Talipes. Club Foot. The one that leaves the medically trained confused. The one that can leave the ‘sufferer’ feeling like a medical experiment.

I’m Meghan. I’m 28 years old and I was part of 1 baby in every 1,000 born in the UK, who has talipes.

I was born with the traditional talipes symptom of the foot (it can affect both) pointing down and inwards with the sole facing backwards.

My parents chose the surgical method in the hope of a solution. Therefore at 3 days old I had my first operation. Then again at 2 years of age. To be finally discharged at 18 years of age.

The professionals call it ‘Posteromedial Release’ where they cut or lengthen the plantar fascia and several tendons/ligaments to then be casted for 6-8 weeks. My parents call it a nightmare!

After years of physiotherapy. Several doctors who found me ‘fascinating’. Lots of pre-made hospital shoes (specifically chosen to look just like my identical twin sisters shoes) I was discharged! For 5 years......

At the age of 23 I ruptured my Achilles’ tendon in my talipes foot. I was training to do the Race For Life (a cancer charity run) in memory of my Nanna. I took a break from training to go on holiday, when I heard the pop.

I left it for a year trying splints, physiotherapy and even praying but nothing. So on 23rd October 2013 I went back under the knife. A new surgeon, someone else’s new medical wonder and an angry Mother.

It was at this point I found out what I suffered with. All my life my parents told me my twin had sat on my foot in the womb. So I’ve been left with questions.