Children with cerebral palsy (CP) typically encounter a host of gait- and balance-related issues associated with spasticity, dyskinesia, and weakness. How severe these are depends on CP type and the individual case. As a result, experts have long debated how early to intervene with bracing strategies that include ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), and how long to maintain those interventions.

By Cary Groner

Encouraging exercise and appropriate footwear selection may be key in helping patients maintain healthy activity levels. Exercise is recommended for the majority of patients regardless of age, gender, or physical disability. The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans1 recommended that all adults perform 150 minutes…

By Audris Tien, DPM, Brad Franklin, DNP, RN, FNP-C, FAANP, and Jarrod Shapiro, DPM, FACFAOM, FACFAS

This overlooked, often-left-undiagnosed ankle pathology causes long-term pain and instability. Appropriate treatment protocols, applied in a timely manner, can get patients back on their feet. The ankle presents an interesting dichotomy of strength and frailty: Whereas the ankle supports body weight, makes sharp twists and turns, and keeps the body from falling…

By Scott Pensivy, PT, LAT, ATC