Aspen had an appointment today with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. It took us about 3 months to get in. The reason we were taking her had sort of resolved on its own, but I thought we better go and make sure everything was okay. Last summer, we noticed that Aspen had a lump on her kneecap that was probably the size of 2 marbles. It was kind of gross looking and she could grab it and squeeze it...double gross. After about a month, it started to send shocks up and down her leg. We took her to the pediatrician and she made us an appointment with the surgeon, but the earliest appointment available was for 3 months later. Gotta love it!
So this lump has kind of just diminished slowly over the last month and really isn't there anymore. At her appointment, they ordered xrays to make sure everything was okay, and by the time the Dr. came in to see us she looked pretty annoyed with us for coming to have her look at something that wasn't there. Wah, Wah, right?
While the nurse was asking us questions before the Dr. came in, I asked her if we could also have the Dr. look at Aspen's feet. Aspen is very pigeon-toed and looks like she has really flat feet. Well, a nurse practitioner came in first and asked Aspen if she could sit in the "w-sit." It's where you kneel down, but then spread your legs outward and sit on your bottom on the floor. I knew exactly what she meant because Aspen sits like that ALL the time! Aspen shows her, and I hear the NP just hum and nod...not usually a good sign, huh? She then watches Aspen walk up and down the hall, and checks her legs and hips while she lays down on the bed. By this time, I knew something was up.
The NP said that Aspen has Femoral Anteversion. Uh...what? It's when the femur is twisted. That is what cause the knees and feet to point inward. She said the being able to sit in the "w-sit" comfortably is a tell tale sign. Apparently 90% of kids who have it grow out of it by age 10. Yeah, well, we all know my kids don't ever grow out of the stuff they should. She goes on to say that the only way to treat it is with a VERY painful surgery that they absolutely won't do unless the child is in severe pain from it. Basically, the slice the femur bone and twist it back to where it should be. OKAY...she can live it!! She did say that doing ballet really helps kids with this condition. As soon as she left, Aspen turns directly towards me and says, "I am NOT taking ballet!"
Ballet focuses on turning the feet outward, which is why it would help.
Aspen can do this move, but completely opposite. She turns her toes inward all the way and then puts her feet one in front of the other.
Marina came with me and she was doing really well and being super patient sitting in the chair. Well, towards the end of the visit, she slumps out of the chair in complete boredom onto the floor straight into the, you guessed it, the "w-sit!" Both the Dr. and the NP look at her funny and then look at me and say, OH...she's got it too! Nice.
