From Casts to Boots to Plastic Heels: Scotti Jo’s Club Foot Journey

Meet Scotti Jo. She is an adventurous, sweet and social 2-year-old girl who loves exploring, wearing pink high heels and chasing chickens on her family's dairy. Looking at her today, it's hard for her mom, Alyssa, to imagine the worry she felt during pregnancy.

Due to her own health history, Alyssa received specialized care and close monitoring at Valley Children's Maternal Fetal Center. During a routine anatomy scan at 19 weeks of gestation, Scotti Jo received an unexpected diagnosis: clubfoot, a condition where one or both feet are turned inward and downward, affecting their position and movement.  

Turning Fear Into Confidence

“In Scotti Jo’s case, one foot was more affected than the other, but overall, clubfoot is a manageable condition that is routinely and very successfully treated by our orthopedic team,” explained Valley Children’s Maternal-Fetal Specialist Dr. Jean-Claude Veille. “Receiving unexpected news during an anatomy scan can be overwhelming, which is why an important part of our role is reassuring families that many of these differences can be managed successfully. To support our families, our team takes the time to answer questions, explain the diagnosis and plan of care, to ensure they understand and feel prepared for what lies ahead.”

Like any parent, fear and uncertainty clouded Alyssa’s mind.

“I had never heard of clubfoot, and I couldn’t help but wonder — did I do something wrong? What does this mean for Scotti? Will she have limitations? I was terrified because there was so much unknown, but every member of the care team truly helped me through it,” Alyssa said. “Their knowledge and support gave me strength and clarity during such an uncertain time, and it carried me through every step of the way.”

What felt overwhelming slowly became manageable. For Alyssa, early diagnosis meant more than identifying a condition — it meant time, preparation and the steadfast support of a team that helped transform fear into confidence.

Expert Care From Day One

When Scotti Jo was born at 37 weeks and 6 days, her care plan was already in place.

“Meeting with the orthopedics team eliminated all uncertainty as they were prepared to see my girl when she was 4 weeks old, and they told me to simply love on her until then,” shared Alyssa. “So that is what we did.”

“Scotti Jo received her first casting at 6 weeks old, followed by a series of four weekly castings in order to stretch the elastic tissues and for bone realignment,” explained Valley Children’s Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Thu-Ba LeBa. “After stretching her foot muscles and tendons and realigning her bones with casting, I performed an Achilles tenotomy. This would release the tightness in her Achilles tendon and allow Scotti Jo to move her ankle upward.”

“Each week with the orthopedic team became routine for us, and the process was entirely more difficult for me than it was for Scotti, who was always so calm and peaceful,” shared Alyssa. “While the procedure on her Achilles was hard for me, it was fast, and when I returned, my girl was in the staff’s arms, drinking a bottle. It was exactly the comfort any parent would want for their child after a procedure like that.”

“Early diagnosis, coordinated care and specialized treatment helped optimize Scotti Jo’s outcome, I have no doubt,” added Dr. LeBa. “Three weeks after this procedure, Scotti Jo went from a cast to boots. We had her wear them for most of the day and night before tapering her down to only naps and bedtime. We see Scotti Jo every 3 to 4 months for routine check-ups to determine whether she needs additional stretch casting to maintain her flexibility. We are very pleased with her outcome and enjoy seeing her grow when she visits our clubfoot clinic.”

A Future Without Limits

Today, Scotti Jo wears her boots only at bedtime and spends her days moving freely without limitation.

“I don’t think Scotti Jo ever walked — she’s always been running,” shared Alyssa. “From the very beginning, Dr. Veille assured us everything would be okay and that I was in good hands, and today, when I look at my girl, I know he was right.”

“There was a time I wondered what limitations my daughter would have, but she truly doesn’t have any,” Alyssa added. “I am so grateful to Drs. Veille and LeBa and the entire Valley Children’s care team — without them, I don’t think she would be the girl she is today.”