Childhood conditions and injuries treated

There are a vide variety of childhood conditions and injuries that can be helped by Children First Physiotherapy. Please telephone if you require more specific advice. In general, conditions and situations that can be successfully improved are as follows:

1. Developmental Differences – Some children have motor development behind their peers, others often fall over or limp. Some children have flat feet or bowlegs and others walk on their toes. Appropriate assessment, treatment and advice can be offered in all situations.
   
   
2. Co-ordination Difficulties (Dyspraxia or Developmental Co-ordination Disorder) – Some children find smooth co-ordinated movement skills, normally used automatically and acquired with ease, very challenging. This can present as ‘clumsiness’ or ‘awkward movement’ (difficulties with spatial and body awareness), poor handwriting, frequent tripping over and poor ball skills (difficulties processing sensory information associated with hand-eye and eye-foot co-ordination). Although the condition is present from birth, it is most often diagnosed between the ages of 5-11 years, as differences from peers become more apparent.
   
   Up to 10% of children aged 5-11 years are affected by Developmental Co-ordination Disorder or Dyspraxia (Lee 2004). It has a direct impact on learning and affects a child’s whole life, including self-esteem and self-confidence. However, it is still a poorly acknowledged condition. As a physiotherapist, with an interest in this area, I am able to offer screening to children affected by these conditions, along with individual physiotherapy programmes. I am also willing to offer practical advice to classroom and games staff, in order that the quality of life for children struggling with these difficulties can be significantly improved.
   
   
3. Neurological Conditions – Conditions such as Cerebral Palsy or Acquired Brain Injury will also affect a child’s ability to move freely and can be associated with pain. Again, with close liaison with teaching and medical staff, each child’s full potential can be realised.
   
   
4. Knee Pain – There are many reasons why children experience knee pain, including: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, referred pain, growth spurts, overuse or traumatic injuries. As with other areas, physiotherapy management will depend on an individual’s presentation and cause of pain. The incidence of knee pain caused by altered biomechanics (leading to muscle imbalance) alone affects 29% of adolescent children (Fairbank 1984). I have recently attended an evidence-based course on “Anterior Knee Pain - differential diagnosis and treatment” enabling me to offer treatment programmes based on the latest research findings.
   
   
5. Back Pain – Recently, there has been a huge amount of media attention and research into adolescent back pain due to the increasing concern about the incidence of this condition in young people. Back pain is the leading cause of disability in the UK, costing the economy around £10 billion per annum in lost productivity and disability or sickness benefits (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy  - (CSP) 2006). Studies state that youngsters who experience back pain are four times more likely to suffer the condition as adults (CSP 2006). However, this alarming trend is preventable.
   
   Research findings show that almost 50% of children by the age of 14 will have experienced back pain (“Backs for the Future” – CSP 2006, “Protecting Young Backs” - BackCare 2007). In 8% of students, this was severe enough to affect concentration, school attendance, ability to play sport, relationships and well-being. The concerning, increasing trend of adolescent back pain and how to tackle the problem is now being discussed by Members of Parliament with “BackCare - the charity for healthier backs” launching it’s 2007 campaign on “Protecting Yong Backs”
   
   The Airedale BackCare for Children (ABC) Programme is a valuable and exciting health education programme whose founders “believe that learning how to reduce the risk of becoming a back pain sufferer, should be a component of every child’s education”. As an ABC trained health professional, Lorna is able to deliver the three dynamic, fun and informative ‘workshops’ developed, to schools or groups of children, enabling good habits to start early on in life. Please contact her for further information.
   
   In addition, to providing extensive advice on preventing back pain, Lorna is able to treat children with this complex problem.
   
   
6. Hip Pain – There are a variety of childhood conditions which affect the hip joint e.g. Perthes Disease, Development Dysplasia of the Hip and Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis. Physiotherapy can help with the long-term management, often associated with these conditions. Enabling children to make a full recovery from surgery and reducing or ideally, preventing, flare-ups of pain.
   
   
7. Rehabilitation – Children are adventurous and bones can fracture. Specific advice and reassurance can be offered to children and parents. Some children may have undergone surgery or spent a period of time in hospital. A short course of physiotherapy treatment may be required to regain their confidence, previous level of activity, strength and flexibility.
   
   
8. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – An increasing number of children are being affected by this condition. A team approach is necessary for its effective management.

References

BackCare – www.backcare.org.uk
CSP / Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (2006) - “Backs for the Future” Leaflet
CSP (15/10/06) – “Teenage lifestyles causing back pain, warns physios”
BackCare (2007) - “Protecting Young Backs Leaflet
Lee M (2004) – “Co-ordination Difficulties – Practical Ways Forward”, David Fulton Publishers
Fairbank A (1984) – “Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Br” 66-B p682-684