Hardik has been a patient at HOPE Physiotherapy Clinic 2013 since . Over the years this sweet 11 years young boy biggest challenge faced was with his crouch gait which was very inefficient and made activities- climbing stairs, walking on ramps very difficult. Making his mother carry him while crossing the road and getting in and out of the bus. In Oct 2019, he underwent hamstring release with patella plication. Our Goal was to improve his balance reaction, reduce the crouch gait and to make him functionally independent and confident while walking out doors.
Following surgery we started with activating the quadricep muscle with isometric holding. We worked towards conventionally strengthening lower limb muscles and trunk before we moved to teach him balance reactions. Typically we balance ourselves from the ground up. It’s only when our center of mass move beyond our base of support or we feel we are falling we use protective extension. Atypical a child with diplegic CP has difficulty activating his postural muscles from the ground up and uses upper extremity- pulling rather than pushing for support, thus not only compromising his balance but also his hand functions. Currently Harsh has progressed to the point he is starting to use the right postural muscles the right way and is less dependent on his upper extremity for support allowing him to walk with a better energy efficient gait.