Monday, June 24, 2013

Casting Lefty Leg

Last week, we made the tough decision to cast Alex's bad leg. Due to his growth, and possibly his seizures, Alex's left leg has gotten much worse. Last week, his leg had turned so far inward that it was striking his right leg with every step. Alex really could not run anymore. We did a gait analysis through CT Children's Medical Center and it showed that there is one very misbehaved muscle, quite deep and strong, that is not growing as he grows. It is tight, and as is the case with CP, does not relax when he moves. If we leave it as it is, he will lose his ability to walk and run with ease. It simply won't grow as he grows. So, we cast it, and once that cast comes off, he will spend day and night in a very stiff brace. We are hoping to avoid surgery down the road to lengthen the muscle. The poor kid is hot and tired, but he never complains. He runs on his cast as though it isn't there. On the way out of the doctor's office, he said to me, "Well, Mumma, we have to look on the bright side. At least I'm not on crutches."

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