We would like to express our deepest appreciation to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and especially Dr. Ignacio Ponseti for the successful treatment and concern of our three-month-old son, Dustin.

Dustin was treated with 9 unsuccessful castings by a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon. With each attempt, Dustin's foot looked continuously worse with the deterioration of the clubfoot's heel. With the last doctor visit, the doctor insisted that surgery was necessary to correct the clubfoot. Feeling uncertain about the surgery and not knowing others with experience with clubfoot, we began searching the Internet for help.

After reading up on Dr. Ignacio Ponseti's method of treatment and depending on our situation, we found out that surgery would definitely be a mistake. With the feeling of nothing to loose we gave the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics a call and to our surprise we both were able to talk to Dr. Ignacio Ponseti himself. He was very kind and helpful in answering our question about our son's clubfoot. We knew then and were certain that it would be worth the inconvenience and expense of flying up to Iowa City to have Dustin treated. With only two castings in less than two weeks and a small in office procedure on Dustin's heel and a final cast to stay on for three weeks the clubfoot was corrected. The only thing left was a follow up on the braces to be worn for two and a half months and then only at night and at nap time until he is 2 Y2years to 3 years.

Thanks to Dr. Ignacio Ponseti, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the Ronald McDonald House and everyone else involved we are well on our way to a speedy recovery and a normal life for our five- month old son, Dustin.

Dustin Lee Rigdon
5 month old Lenon and Christine Rigdon
Tel: 601-774-8847
Email: crigdon68@juno.com