Andrea Garrett was diagnosed with clubfeet and knock knees as an infant. She was born in Atwater, Ohio, and became a patient at Akron Children’s Hospital at two months old. Dr. Mark Adamczyk, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and director of the Clubfoot Clinic, recommended the Ponseti method. This treatment involved casting and bracing to correct her clubfoot. Andrea underwent several plaster casts and wore special boots connected by a bar for a year. Her family recalls this period as challenging.
Andrea’s treatment continued as she grew older. At age 10, she had distal tibia derotation surgery to reposition her shin bone. She also had guided growth correction procedures on her knees. In total, Andrea had three surgeries related to clubfoot and two surgeries on each knee. At age 20, she reports minor leg pain during weather changes but remains active.
During her treatment, Andrea observed Dr. Adamczyk explaining procedures to medical students, residents, and her family. She found his explanations clear and accessible. This experience influenced her decision to pursue a career in health care…