June 16, 2009
Testimonial by Ranae (mom)
We took our son, age 16, in concerning his pectus last September. Surgery was an option along with bracing and we were recommended to Joe even though she was a surgeon. The surgeon said they had better results and great success with this particular bracing system as opposed to others they had tried. Our son was very much a part of the decision. He decided to try it.
We are so happy with the results. He is completely through and dismissed from the program in just 8 months. We had our last appointment last month.
We were initially concerned about how much the brace would show and him wearing it 24/7 to school, etc. We thought he would need loose shirts. However; in reality it was not very noticeable and he continued to wear his usual t-shirts and normal clothes. He didn’t suffer any ridicule at school. He followed the schedule precisely, which I think is key to good results.
The initial workup and first few days were painful, but tolerable with medication giving relief. It took only a short time for him to adjust to sleeping in it. He, as well as his parents, are so glad we made the decision to brace. Joe has been great to work with. He is very cheerful and caring and positive. He is passionate and knowledgable about his pectus work and very happy to be helping these pectus kids. The results are fantastic and he now has a normal looking chest for the rest of his life.
Ranae H, Mother
This is a testimonial for the T-Joe Pectus Brace by Dr. James R Heiner (dad)
I would highly recommend the T-Joe Brace system done by Joe . Our 16 year old son had a significant pectus carinatum, protruding out about 2 inches from the normal contour. We were told by our pediatrician to consider surgery or the T-Joe brace system.
We went in for a consultation with Joe, and he was very pleasant and friendly with our son. Joe put him at ease and reassured us both, using before and after photos, that the brace could do the job. By using the T-Joe brace, we avoided the need for anesthesia and surgery, minimizing the risk, and the pain associated with it. I know first hand as I am a physician.
Joe did a flexibility test to show how much the pectus could be molded back into place. Shortly thereafter when we returned froma family vacation we went in to get the brace custom created and fitted. It was a bit uncomfortable as Joe forewarned in the first few days but it was certainly much less uncomfortable than surgery would have been.
The brace itself was practically invisible to see when worn underneath his clothes. We were given a schedule and good instructions and support on using it, and it worked more quickly than we anticipated. Within a few months our son’s chest wall looked normal, and he was able to stop wearing the brace gradually. In less than 6 months he looked completely normal and was completely off the brace within 8 months. I has now been 10 months since we went in, and he has been off the brace completely for 2 months, and he looks and feels great. During his junior year at high school he was much more comfortable going swimming for the typical end of year pool parties and waterpark activities. We were very pleased with the results, and glad we went with T-Joe brace system.
Jim Heiner, MD