Doctor Follow Up - Wheelchair Recommendation

[KatWrangler]

We met with the Orthopedic Surgeon today.  First off, he agreed the wheelchair was a good idea.  So he gave us a script for a wheelchair.  She is getting fitted for one August 9^th.  We were hoping sooner but they are swamped. 

Second, in regards to her left foot getting worse, he wants to try the serial  casting.  Right now we are scheduled for August 10^th.  He said it was no hurry and she will start school the next week.    He said we could do the full leg cast or shorty cast.  But the shorty might not work and or take additional castings to work.  Right now we are thinking the first cast a full leg cast.  Then the next ones shortys.

He mentioned that at about age 10 there is a surgery he can do.  But he can’t do it while she is still growing.  It is not the growth plate (that is a whole different surgery we are looking at).

What have others experience been with serial castings?

Wheelchair recommendations? 

[anj_rn]

No experience with serial casting as a parent.  As a nurse I have had tons of kids do it.  Some kids do really well, others find it more difficult.  Above all, I would say focus on the positives for your DD, she gets to pick the colors, she can leave it white and decorate it herself with markers, you can get adult knee highs to cover it in fun patterns, whatever works for you.  IME, the 2nd or 3rd casting is the worse b/c the novelty has worn off and they really do not want to do it again, so I would definitely suggest a good reward system.

Wheelchairs vary greatly by what your DD can do.  We have an Otto Bock Kimba and LOVE IT, it has a sun canopy, storage, it folds in half to fit into the car well.  However, it is meant for me to push (since DD can't), so if your DD want to wheel herself around it would not be a good fit.

Whatever you end up choosing, make sure you can easily fold it and put it in your car.  One of the ones they showed me had to be broken into 3 pieces, and the base alone weighed 75 lbs, needless to say we did not pick that one.

[khaoskat]

Having had children in casts for broken bones...my best suggestions -- Pay for the waterproof cast and liner.  It is so well worth it and they do not stink so bad when the cast comes off...

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by khaoskat 

Having had children in casts for broken bones...my best suggestions -- Pay for the waterproof cast and liner.  It is so well worth it and they do not stink so bad when the cast comes off...

This is serial casting.  A brand new cast each week for a min. of 3 weeks.  I can't afford the additional cost for the waterproof cast.   She has had a tendon transfer on her right leg and achilles tendon release on her left leg in the past.  We had no problem keeping the cast dry.  Same with my youngest who broke her arm at age 20 months.  If this was not serial casting and was in the beginning of summer, I would consider the waterproof cast. 

[KatWrangler]

The Otto won't work.  We want a chair that will last a long time and will grow with her.  It also has to be set up so she can push herself.

We debated between a special needs stroller and the WC.  We decided with the WC  because of her age and would give her more independence.