Orthopaedics not Orthopedist

When checking my spelling for words I would use in this post, I came across a grand mistake of mine! I have been saying that Claire was seeing an Orthopedist today, but she was not. She was seeing an Orthopaedic doctor. What's the difference? I'm so glad you asked!

Orthopedics is how this field is listed under Physicians & Surgeons in my Yellow Pages phone book and it is apparently a common and widely accepted, but erroneous spelling. The word orthopedics would link the term only to the foot because in Latin pedi means foot. When you look at the word orthopaedics you see the root ortho, meaning straight, and paes, which is Greek for child. Literally, orthopaedics is the straightening of the child, not just the foot! This definition encompasses the spine and other bones along with the foot and is why an orthopaedic surgeon would treat broken bones, scoliosis and club foot! There is no American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery but there is an American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. Hmmmmmm....learn something everyday!


So, we had our appointment with the newest doctor on Claire's roster, a local Pediatric Orthopaedic doctor. Dr. Hooker is sweet and attentive, but she would not speculate about the possibility of Claire walking. Like the doctors in the Spina Bifida clinic, she painted a very vague picture. She may walk unassisted, assisted or she could walk for now, but may stop as she gains weight and isn't able to carry her own weight. We already understood this and I am glad that they admit that they just don't know what these kids can or will do! Looking at her back, the spina bifida doctors thought she shouldn't be able to move her legs, much less crawl around the floor and pull up to cruise the sofa! So, we wait for Claire to show us what she is capable of when she is ready.

Waiting for the Good Doctor

In the mean time, we were sent to get something that will help her. Claire will be using AFOs (Ankle-Foot-Orthsis) to help stabilize her ankles to make it easier for her to support herself and keep her feet in the right position for walking. An AFO is just a plastic brace that goes from the foot to the calf, stopping before the knee. It is worn in the shoes and is actually the same thing that is attached to her Dobb's brace. Unfortunately, it meant having casts made of her feet. Let me just say that Claire was not going down that road again without letting her feelings be known! She protested in the form of full out, open mouthed, silent screaming that turned to cries of anger and finally, resolve. Once the Orthotist, Mr. Jim, had casted and removed the cast from one leg, she calmed down considerably. She likes the removal part... can you blame her? Claire's fancy footware will be ready in two weeks and while we wait, we are trying to set up some physical therapy.