7.03.2007

Orthopedic Surgeon

Sooooooo . . . today not only was our 8th wedding anniversary (8 years ago we were married on the hottest day of the year in Illinois at 97 degrees and almost 100% humidity, 300 wedding guests and NO AIR CONDITIONING in the church --- groan! --- yep, you got that right!), but it was also Maia's leg appointment with the Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon. We saw two doctors and we really loved them both. But Dr. G was the BEST. Probably one of the many reasons why people travel from all over to see him and why it takes 2-1/2 months to get in to see him.

Maia did some walking for him. He checked out her feet and legs extensively by touch, and he did lots of leg turning, prodding and twisting. He could tell just by looking at her legs while she was sitting on my lap that her left foot "went in". His diagnosis is, her left leg tibia is growing inward, but only at a 10% difference. Her toes turn inward, but he said that usually isn't a problem like when a person's toes turn outward.

He also said that her hips are a little out-of-whack. She sits in a "W" position all the time. Rarely does she sit like everyone else, with the legs in front or in an Indian-style position.

He called them both problems, but also both things that she will probably forever be able to live with. He said as long as she doesn't seem to be in pain (and she's not), then he isn't concerned at all. He said she might fall more than other kids (because of her tripping over that left leg) but that it doesn't bother him if it doesn't bother her or us. He also said the "W" sitting is something usually inherited from mom or dad - double-jointness or extra flexibility and limberness. If it's a genetic thing, she definitely got it from me and not Neil. Who knows, maybe she'll be the next famous ballet dancer, gymnast or trapeze artist?! HA! (Hoping not the latter!)

So we are happy. Very happy. Last time we were in there, I was standing in tears. Today I was standing in smiles.

And an interesting thing he did point out. He said in the 80's a doctor probably would have put her immediately in leg braces. But through lots of test and evaluations, they have discovered that leg braces do not help any more than no leg braces at all. He said they are basically a thing of the past because they haven't been proven to be any help at all in leg problems like hers (even worser cases).

So, we're home, having had no x-rays, and quite happy. Maia is napping and we're hoping Noah falls asleep too because we're all very tired. I don't think we slept well at all last night and today was just a lonnnng day.

Thanks so much for your prayers. I know that we've had so many. xoxo

20 comments:

Jamie said...

Val, I am so glad that everything turned out ok. I didn't think it was anything that was horrible. This comming from the one who has funky hip bones. I know that to hear family talk now they said I walked funny and sat strange but dr's said it was no biggie. And here I am now years later still going :) phooie on the dr's who rush to correct and not let nature take it course haha
((((Hugs))))

Chel said...

That is fabulous news!! Congratulations on the anniversary and on the great news about Maia.

Michelle said...

Happy Day! Happy Anniversary and happy news for Maia!! I was thinking about you all day. Our internet has been down since Sunday morning!! I know?! So...I was hoping that I would hop on here and find that everything went well...and, that's the case! Yeah! So glad to hear things went well! Hugs from OK!!

Anonymous said...

Val, that is so awesome! Doesn't it make you feel better? I just think it's a miracle!

Unknown said...

I am so happy for you guys. That must lift such a heavy burden from you guys.

Kellyology said...

Happy Anniversary! And congrats on the fantastic news!

AnnaLiza said...

hahaha! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! Congratulations!!

sounds like my wedding:
- 92 degrees
- no air conditioning at THE CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL (!!!!!! yes that big church didn't have air conditioning so they opened up a small wall to the right of the stage which would otherwise have cost $90 to have open! it was so hot, they had no choice but to open it)
- 1997

hope you have an amazing week....
happy fourth!

Anonymous said...

happy anniversary
its nice to know where you stand (no pun intended) though isnt it
pleased you got in to see the doctor and that you feel better about it all

Tracey said...

Glad it went well and it's nothing serious! Joey used to W sit all the time too. His physical therapist told us to try and correct him, so we were constantly telling him to "fix his feet" when we saw him W sitting and he caught on really fast. Now, he rarely sits that way. Tell Ms. Maia way to be brave!

Cerella said...

That's WONDERFUL news! :)

Cerella said...

OH! And Happy Belated Anniversary! *oopsie*

Erin said...

I left a comment yesterday, but apparently it didn't appear. Well, I'm glad to hear that everything went well with Maia at the doctor. And a very happy, I suppose belated now, anniversary.

Unknown said...

Erin, no biggie!! :) I knew you had posted because I thought it was weird that you hadn't, kwim?:) Thanks, girlie.

Thanks, everyone! Amanda . . I agree . . . a miracle! My kids are full of 'em, really :)

I'm so relieved that we don't have this to worry about anymore. Weight has been lifted. God is good :)

Deborah said...

I haven't followed the whole story with your dd, but I was interested in this post because I have concerns about my 18 month old's leg and foot turning in. So far, our doctor has said she's not really concerned about it, but since I had leg braces as a baby, I assumed they still did it. I'm glad to hear that all is well with Maia, and, your post also reassures me a bit about my Eden, too.

Anonymous said...

Oh YAY!!!!! I'm so glad to her that Maia is going to be a-ok! How blessed you all are. love, me

Anonymous said...

I'm glad this appointment went much better than last time! I think this all just adds character to Miss Maia!

Happy Belated Anniversary!! Wow, look how much richer your lives are now, and it really began rolling with your wedding day!

Corie said...

Happy Belated Anniversary Val!

And, I am so glad that Maia's doctor visit ended in smiles and not tears! Thank God!!!

Unknown said...

Deborah, I'm glad it gives you assurance and hope. I hadn't thought about the leg brace thing before, but then when I did think about it, it made sense. You rarely ever see children in braces anymore. I have hope that your doctors will tell you the same thing ours did. ((hugs!))

LiLi said...

Maegers has that same W sitting thing and weird hips... she too falls a LOT more than her friends because of one of her legs being slightly longer and turned than the other... but it isn't a biggie at all... you can't tell by looking at her that something is wrong with her legs and the doc was NOT concerned in the least.

I'm so thankful that it was nothing serious and NO XRAYS!!! Woohooo!!!!! :D

Happy Anniversary. Matt and I just celebrated 7 years on July 1! :) I should blog about it... you inspire me! :) Love ya!

Alexis Jacobs said...

Happy belated anniversary! I am so glad everything turned out okay with Maia. My brother had braces as a child for almost the exact same reasons. Amazing how times have changed. ((hugs))