Lower Extremity Review
Treatment planning could benefit – Chicago researchers have identified clinically relevant subgroups based on foot and ankle kinematics in children with equinovarus secondary to hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) that could help improve treatment planning and clinical outcomes.
By Barbara Boughton
As hip arthritis becomes a growing concern in adults with Down syndrome, clinicians are also becoming more attuned to hip issues in children with DS, in hopes that early intervention in the pediatric population will help reduce the risk of disability later on.
By Shalmali Pal
Once pain and inflammation have been addressed, clinicians can implement interventions—including orthotic devices, stretching, and strengthening—to address the biomechanical factors that are believed to contribute to heel pain and other symptoms in this population.
By Erin Boutwell
Early diagnosis and early intervention in people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease give clinicians and patients a valuable head start on keeping symptom progression in check.
By Cary Groner
Orthotic devices, tailored to each patient and adjusted for disease progression, can improve mvobility by addressing gait impairments and maintaining stability.
By Cary Groner
Children with idiopathic clubfoot who have relapses after treatment with the Ponseti method demonstrate different soft tissue abnormalities than children whose clubfoot is permanently corrected, according to research published in the August issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
By Erin Boutwell
With head trauma becoming increasingly worrisome in sports these days, a significant concern is whether the same protocols for clearing an athlete to return to sports should be used in both adults and children. Research from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center suggests that the…
By Chris Klingenberg
A recent study published in the winter issue of Pediatric Physical Therapy found that children just learning to walk may have altered gait characteristics when wearing flexible shoes.
By Erin Boutwell
High rates of chronic ankle instability in children suggest a need for better prevention and treatment of ankle sprains in young patients, but researchers are just starting to explore whether clinical approaches designed for adults will also be effective in their younger counterparts.
By P.K. Daniel
Knee pain is common in children with CP, but given the many health challenges facing this patient population, knee symptoms may not be given high priority. Proper diagnosis and treatment of knee pain, however, can be key to maximizing a childʼs mobility and quality of life.
By Shalmali Pal
While the patient is always the practitionerʼs first priority, establishing a convivial relationship with a childʼs parents can mean the difference between victory and failure when it comes to diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating lower extremity problems in pediatric patients.
By Shalmali Pal
Experts push for better sprain rehab – Primary ankle sprains often occur before adulthood, and a recent literature review from Australia suggests that some pediatric populations exhibit a high rate of ankle injury recurrence and chronic ankle instability (CAI).
By P.K. Daniel
Location of shortening is key factor – Contrary to popular perceptions, children with limb length discrepancy (LLD) may each use multiple compensatory strategies when they are walking, depending on where their discrepancy is, and those gait patterns may present a dilemma for practitioners.
By Larry Hand
Syme, transtibial gaits are similar – The relative functional benefits of transtibial and Syme amputations in adults have been discussed in the medical literature, but few studies have addressed similar issues in pediatric patients.
By Hank Black
Two recent literature reviews underscore the lack of high-level evidence to support the various treatments available for idiopathic toe walking. But new research is starting to fill that void, and is also engendering new theories about factors that may contribute to the condition.
By Larry Hand
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