Transcript Slide 1

KUNA, IDAHO
A Case Study of an Adolescent with Congenital Hemiplegia
Hannah Nawaz, SPT
Regis University
OBJECTIVES
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Identify factors unique to hemiplegia in the pediatric
population.
Develop effective examination and evaluation strategies,
selecting reliable and valid outcome measures.
Discuss intervention strategies for pediatric patients with
hemiplegia in an outpatient setting.
Discuss the rationale and referral process associated with
orthoses prescription in an outpatient setting.
HEMIPLEGIA
Typically a classification of cerebral palsy
 Congenital hemiplegia
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 2:1,000
births
Usually classified using Gross Motor Functional
Classification Scale (GMFCS)
 Abnormal posturing, spasticity/increased tone,
muscle spasms, seizure disorders, gait
deviations, poor balance and sensory
awareness1
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BRITTANY: 14 YOA FEMALE
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Medical History
 CVA
in womb
 PT from ages 3-6
 Aquatic
therapy
 2 different AFOs
 Hand brace
 Heel
cord extension: age 8
AROM
EXAMINATION
LOCATION
LEFT
RIGHT
Ankle Dorsiflexion
-16 degrees
WNL
Knee Extension
-4 degrees
WNL
Elbow Extension
-18 degrees
WNL
LOCATION
LEFT
RIGHT
Ankle Dorsiflexion
2+
5
Knee Extensors
3+
5
Wrist Extensors
3
5
Finger Flexors
3-
5
MMT
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=BtqWxB
Ud94I
ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION FINDINGS
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Gait: foot drop during initial contact and loading phases;
high guard position during walking and jogging
Impaired balance in standing
Denies history of muscle spasms and seizures
Increased L sided tone; clonus absent
Sensation grossly intact in both UE and LE
Significant unilateral left sided atrophy
Impaired proprioception and stability of trunk
musculature
Berg balance score2 = 40
PATIENT IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS
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Difficulty playing sports in
school including football,
basketball, volleyball
Difficulty riding scooter for
prolonged periods of time
NON-PATIENT IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS
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PROBLEM LISTS
Frequent falls secondary to
poor anticipatory and
reactive balance3
Impaired coordination during
dynamic activity
Decreased aerobic capacity
Psychological implications of
congenital abnormalities
Family dynamics
DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS
Patient demonstrates left sided deficits in
strength, range of motion, balance, and
coordination which impair her ability to
participate in recreational activities with peers.
 The patient’s rehabilitation potential is good
given patient’s previous history with PT and her
increased motivation to regain optimal
function.
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WHAT TO DO?
Progressive resistance exercises (Ada 2006)
 FES for improved force production (Donaldson,
2009)
 EMG biofeedback for tone reduction and
proprioceptive training (Wolpaw, 1983)
 Constraint induced movement therapy (Gordon,
et al 2005)
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INTERVENTIONS
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Stretching
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Gastroc/soleus
Biceps
Hamstrings
Balance
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Strengthening
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Ankle w/ theraband and
NMES
Quadriceps on leg press
Trunk on exercise ball
UE theraband exercises
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Dynadisc bilateral stance
Single leg balance
Sitting balance on
exercise ball/ single leg
sitting balance
Coordination
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Treadmill walking
Ball toss while sitting on
exercise ball
Agility ladder
Specifically…
-posterior leaf spring
-trimmed posterior to
malleolus7
Function: assist foot into DF
during swing phase of gait and
allows PF during stance
Covered by Medicaid 
Constraint induced therapy???
LONG TERM PLAN
WHO WANTS A SILVER SYNAPSE?
What are some of the common impairments
which patients with congenital hemiplegia
present?
 T/F: According the algorithm, a dorsiflexion
assist orthoses is appropriate when DF
strength is <3.
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QUESTIONS???
RESOURCES
1.
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6.
7.
Cambell S, Vander Linden D, Palisano R. Physical Therapy for Children. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MS:
Saunders Elsevier; 2006.
Beninato M, Portney L, Sullivan P. Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability
and Health as a framework to examine the association between falls and clinical assessment tools
in people with stroke. Phys Ther. August 2009;89(8):816-825.
Aruin A. The effect of asymmetry of posture on anticipatory postural adjustments. Neurosci Lett.
2006;401(1/2):150-153.
Ada L, Dorsch S, Canning CG . Strengthening interventions increase strength and improve activity
after stroke: a systematic review. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy. 2006. 52: 241-248.
Donaldson C, Tallis R, Miller S, Sunderland A, Lemon R, Pomeroy V. Effects of conventional physical
therapy and functional strength training on upper limb motor recovery after stroke: a randomized
phase II study. Neurorehab & Neural Repair.2009. 23(4): 389-397
Wolpaw J, O'Keefe J. Adaptive plasticity in the primate spinal stretch reflex: evidence for a twophase process. J Neurosci. November 1984;4(11):2718-2724.
Kubota K, Eberly V, Weiss W. To brace or not to brace: making evidence-based decisions with our
clients with neurologic impairment. February 2006.