Pediatric Rehabilitation

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Pediatric Rehab Basics - Tiny Titans, Big Steps

  • Core Principles:
    • Family-centered care: Involves family in goals & therapy.
    • Play-based therapy: Uses play for therapeutic goals.
    • Early intervention: Crucial for optimal developmental outcomes.
    • Multidisciplinary team: PT, OT, SLP, physiatrist.
  • Assessment Focus:
    • Developmental screening (e.g., Denver II, ASQ).
    • Functional assessments (e.g., WeeFIM, PEDI-CAT).
    • Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) for progress.
  • Key Intervention Areas:
    • Gross & fine motor skills.
    • Cognitive & communication development.
    • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
    • Social participation. Child in pediatric physical therapy session
  • Developmental Milestones: Guide assessment & intervention planning.

⭐ Early identification and intervention for developmental delays significantly improve long-term functional outcomes and quality of life in children.

Cerebral Palsy - Brainy Movement Paths

  • Non-progressive neuromotor disorder from injury to the developing brain (prenatal to 2 years).
  • Etiology: Hypoxia-ischemia, prematurity, infections (TORCH), trauma, kernicterus.
  • Classification (based on motor abnormality & topography):
    • Spastic (~75%): UMN lesion (motor cortex/pyramidal tracts). Hypertonia, pathological reflexes.
      • Diplegia (legs > arms), Hemiplegia (one side), Quadriplegia (all limbs).
    • Dyskinetic: Basal ganglia lesion. Involuntary movements (athetosis, chorea, dystonia).
    • Ataxic: Cerebellar lesion. Impaired balance, coordination, gait.
    • Mixed: Combination of types.
  • Key Signs: Delayed motor milestones, abnormal muscle tone, persistent primitive reflexes, feeding issues.
  • Management: Multidisciplinary team. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, orthotics, medications (e.g., Baclofen, Botulinum toxin for spasticity), orthopedic surgery.

Brain areas & body parts affected in Cerebral Palsy

⭐ Spastic diplegia is the most common form of CP in preterm infants, often associated with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).

Neuro & MSK Challenges - Twists, Turns, Wins

  • Torticollis (Wry Neck):
    • SCM contracture; head tilt, chin opposite.
    • Rx: Stretching; surgery if >1 yr.
  • Scoliosis:
    • Lateral curve > 10° (Cobb). Adam's test.
    • Brace: 25-45° (growing). Surgery: >45-50°.
  • Clubfoot (CTEV):
    • CAVE deformity. Ponseti: casting, tenotomy.
    • Foot abduction brace.
  • Developmental Dysplasia of Hip (DDH):
    • Barlow/Ortolani. Galeazzi sign.
    • Rx: Pavlik harness (<6m), reduction. Ultrasound and diagram of normal infant hip anatomy
  • Brachial Plexus Palsy:
    • Erb's (C5-C6): Waiter's tip. Klumpke's (C8-T1): Claw hand.
    • PT; surgery if no recovery 3-6 mo.

⭐ DDH: Pavlik harness most effective early; aims for hip flexion & abduction.

Ortho & Aids - Bones, Braces, Boosts

  • Bones & Rehab:
    • Fractures: Phased rehab (Immobilize → Mobilize → Strengthen).
    • Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI): Low-impact exercise, protect bones.
    • Rickets: Vit D, Ca, corrective orthoses.
  • Braces (Orthotics):
    • Scoliosis: Milwaukee (CTLSO), Boston (TLSO) for curves 25-45° (skeletally immature).
    • Clubfoot (CTEV): Ponseti method (casting/tenotomy) + Foot Abduction Brace (FAB) 2-4 yrs.
    • DDH: Pavlik harness (<6 months); abduction brace/spica cast (>6 months).
  • Boosts (Aids & Therapy):
    • Goals: ↑Function, ↑Independence, ↑ROM, ↑Strength, ↓Pain.
    • Interventions: PT (Physical Therapy), OT (Occupational Therapy), adaptive equipment.
    • Aids: Crutches, walkers, wheelchairs.

⭐ Pavlik harness for DDH: dynamic splint for infants <6 months, maintains hip flexion & abduction. Avoid if teratologic or child >6-8 months.

Child using a pediatric walker

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Cerebral Palsy: Prioritize spasticity control, functional independence, and multidisciplinary team approach.
  • DDH: Early screening (Ortolani/Barlow) and Pavlik harness (<6 months) are critical for outcomes.
  • Clubfoot (CTEV): Ponseti method (casting, tenotomy, bracing) is the gold standard treatment.
  • DMD: Recognize Gower's sign; focus on maintaining mobility and respiratory care.
  • Spina Bifida: Demands comprehensive, lifelong management of orthopedic, neurological, and urological complications.
  • Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy: Early physiotherapy is crucial; monitor for surgical indications_._

Practice Questions: Pediatric Rehabilitation

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All are characteristic features of cerebral palsy except

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Flashcards: Pediatric Rehabilitation

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Treatment of myositis ossificans in latent phase involves _____

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Treatment of myositis ossificans in latent phase involves _____

active physiotherapy

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