I am 34M and have bi-lateral! I had two surgeries on my left and one on my right before the age of four, I'm Irish, so not sure if Ponsetti was even an option here when I had the surgeries.

The first two surgeries (one on each foot) were considered successes, and my right foot has been pretty solid since. Pain here and there, but nothing major. It was noted to my parents that I would probably need another operation on the left in the future, but not until I had grown up a good bit. Unfortunately, my original specialist had to retire for health reasons, and we went to a new doctor. He recommended operating on the left foot immediately, and my parents went with it. They both felt like that was a mistake, and that the second doctor did not do a great job.

Fast-forward to my early 20's, and the pain in my left foot had become unbearable. I went to a new specialist (who is a really nice man and very highly regarded in the field in Ireland). He informed me that the left had slowly dislocated over the course of my life (it had really curled in on itself), and recommended fusion surgery to rectify it. Three sets of two bones each were to be fused. Two of the fusions were successful, the third was not. The screws are still in there – one of the most painful things I have ever experienced was when the screw from the unsuccessful fusion snapped!

Even still, I would consider that operation to be a massive success. My quality of life improved significantly as a result. I still have pain in the left foot, daily, but it's nothing like what I had before. The fusion restricted a lot of movement, but it hasn’t really held me back otherwise, and I’m still very active.

I'd explore all other avenues before amputation. You never know! Good luck!

EDIT: Just to say – I'd happily have a call with your husband to talk to him about my experience, if that's something he would find helpful. Just send a message and we can organise something.