Jaden and his most expensive pair of shoes

23 Sep 11

This is a long, long overdue post. It is an important one and I must not omit this from my "treasure memories".

During the period that we had been in and out of Family Podiatry Centre, there are several information that have been shared by other parents visiting the same centre.

1. Do not let kids sleep face down or up as feet will become very flexible, but to sleep on their side
2. No walker recommended for toddler
3. Toddler shouldn't sit on floor with bend legs as their bones are still very soft. Recommended to sit on little chair.
4. Pay attention if kids complained tired easily after walk for a short time ie during shopping, jogging, etc
5. Also pay attention to kids slipper ie one side worn out

We finally had custom molded orthotics made for Jaden with his name on it. We went to Family Podiatry Centre in TTDI to have this done for Jaden.

  

On the podiatrist recommendation, Hubby and I had been hunting for suitable shoes for Jaden. We need to look for shoes that have :

1. good arch
2. firm heel
3. shoes sole that are wider than heel
4. shoes string or at least 3 velcro straps 

We bought this pair of Adidas shoes from Parkson at RM120 for Jaden to wear it with the custom made mold insert inside our house ie indoor.

This pair of shoes is for Jaden's outdoor wear and it has 3 velcro straps. We also bought it at Parkson at RM150.

The black shoes is not suitable for running in the park and jogging. We bought his pair of running shoes from Adidas outlet at clearance price of only RM79.60

We have looked around at my different brands of shoes. Adidas has good shoes with good feet support and we like that their shoes insert can be removed and replace it with Jaden's custom made mold insert.

These are Jaden's most expensive pairs of shoes. We have spent to date RM1,545 on Jaden's feet and shoes. 

1. Podiatrist consultations fee  - RM190
2. Biomechanical examination  - RM305
3. Feet x-ray                           - RM55 
4. Casting fee                          - RM95
5. Custom molded orthotics     - RM550
6. 3 pair of shoes                    - RM350

There will be follow up biomechanical examination on Jaden's feet. Unfortunately, medical insurance has exclusion on this type of alternative therapy and our medical insurance does not cover these costs.

We feel good that we have this solution for Jaden. We hope he can run like other kids and will not fall so easily.



Flat Feet and Family Podiatry Centre

29 Jun 11

After Jaden's feet x-ray at Sime Darby Specialist Centre at Taman Megah, a few days later, we brought Jaden back to the Family Podiatry Centre with the x-ray report. This time round, we went to the centre at KL Soho, Solaris Mount Kiara. Dr Mark would be taking a month off in Jul 11 to go back to his home town in South Africa.

Dr Mark evaluated Jaden’s feet x-ray and explained it to us. Jaden's talus bones were at 40 degree as compared to the usual 20 degree. I asked Dr Mark why is it that flat feet are so common? Why most of the people do not do anything about it? Why so many people said children will out-grow it? Dr Mark told us the consequences of flat feet i.e. can’t walk for long, experience leg pain, bad posture, etc.

Dr Mark recommended Jaden to wear special shoes to support his feet. However, there were no such shoes of small size for him. They will make an insole for him instead.

After the consultation, we went to another room and saw the above. They used plaster of paris, which is a quick-setting gypsum plaster consisting of a fine, white powder,  calcium sulfate, which hardens when moistened and allowed to dry.

We paid RM650 for this visit which is inclusive of casting fee and deposit for the custom molded orthotics for Jaden. It will take approximately 4-6 weeks for the insole to be ready. By which, Dr Mark will be back.

Our appointment for the day was at 4.15pm. There were quite a number of patients in the centre to catch Dr Mark before he goes on long holiday. By the time we got to see Dr Mark was about 5.15pm. The consultation and preparing the mould casting was less than 30 minutes. I had to wait quite a while for them to print the bill for us to pay. By the time I left Solaris Mt Kiara, it was almost 6 o’clock.

This will be Jaden’s most expensive pair of shoes. We hope it will help Jaden and give him confidence when he runs and let him enjoy his childhood.

Flat Feet and at what age to get treatment?

25 Jun 11

As Jaden was growing up, we noticed Jaden has flat feet as his feet do not have arch.

In Oct 09 when Jaden was 2.5 years old, we took Jaden to see orthopedic and the orthopedic said it is normal for child of Jaden's age as arch hasn't formed yet and arches should form when he is older and it was too early for us to do anything, etc.

Jaden can't run as fast as his cousin who is 9.5 months younger than him. When he runs, he fall half the time. We took him to Foot Solutions and Schein at The Curve and both did not have solution for Jaden's age. Foot Solutions recommended us to take Jaden to see a Podiatrist, one is in TTDI and the other is in Sunway Medical Centre.

One day, over lunch, as I was talking to Fei Yin about Jaden's feet, she mentioned that her friend took her child to see a Podiatrist in TTDI. I goggled on the Internet and find Family Podiatry Centre which is the same Podiatry that was recommended by Foot Solutions. I read more about the centre and also the chief podiatrist and founder, Dr Mark B Reyneker.

It wasn't easy to get an appointment at the Family Podiatry Centre. Finally, we brought Jaden to the centre on last Friday.

On our first consultation, Dr Mark asked us a series of questions:

1. At what age Jaden started walking?
2. Did he use walker?
3. Did he tip toe?
4. Does he complain leg pain when walking in shopping complex?
5. Does he complain leg pain at night?
6. Any of the family member has flat feet?

Dr Mark asked Jaden to walk from one wall to the other for him to observe the way he walks. He also asked him to lie down to check his leg. 

When Jaden lying down, the feet has arch. Dr Mark said Jaden has flexible flat feet. The good news is it can be treated. For Jaden's case, it may take 4 years. Dr Mark explained to us that talus bone suppose to be horizontal but collapse when Jaden stands up.

I asked Dr Mark if it is too young for Jaden to seek treatment for his flat feet and he advised that the earlier the treatment for flat feet, the better it will be.

He asked us to get x-ray of Jaden's leg in standing position and return to see him with the x-ray. He also gave us a piece of paper with the wrong sleeping and sitting position. We should not sleep on our tummy or sitting cross leg to avoid putting weight on our legs and feet.

The following day, we brought Jaden to SJMC Specialist Centre at Taman Megah to get the x-ray done.

The consultation fee at Family Podiatry Centre was RM150 and the x-ray costs us RM55. I heard the special shoes or insole for flat fee is costly.

We hope to bring Jaden back to the Family Podiatry Centre to start the treatment for his flat feet this week before the doctor goes away in Jul 11 for a month holiday.