Paediatric Lower Limb Prosthetics
Infants and children require a specialised approach to their prosthetic care and depend on their parents and their prosthetic providers to patiently take care of their needs during these growing years. Limited communication skills, combined with rapid rates of physical growth, mean that paediatric patients require frequent office visits and more careful observation of their progress from month to month.
Prosthetic patients between the ages of birth and about 18 years will require a new socket and other prosthetic modifications at least once a year and should be evaluated by their clinician every six months, with careful monitoring by a parent or caregiver in between visits.
MPPO O&P CLINIC OFFERS PAEDIATRIC SERVICES IN:
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Upper and lower limb/extremity prosthetics, typically due to birth defect, accident or amputation.
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Specialised prosthetic adaptive or activity-specific prosthesis devices. For example, custom adaptations can be fabricated for musical instruments, swimming, basketball, baseball, or fishing.
Children are often times much more adaptable than adults. That is why infants who are born with a missing or partial limb, or children who lose a limb through injury or amputation, should be evaluated by a prosthetist as soon as possible. Often it is appropriate for infants and very young children to be fit with a passive prosthesis right away so that the prosthetic limb is incorporated into their developing body image and daily life. This will also help children socially as they begin interacting with their peers and help their friends understand the prosthetic.
Infants who are born with a missing or partial limb, or children who lose a limb through injury or amputation, should be evaluated by a prosthetist as soon as possible. Often it is appropriate for infants and very young children to be fit with a passive prosthesis right away so that the prosthetic limb is incorporated into their developing body image. This can also help children socially as they begin interacting with their peers.
PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR PAEDIATRIC LOWER LIMB/EXTREMITY USERS
Babies and children tend to be more adaptable than adults when it comes to wearing a limb loss device. Infants born with an absent or partially formed limb are usually fit with a prosthesis when they begin to pull up and stand, which is about six to eight months of age. Children should begin physical therapy and be fit with a limb loss device (prosthesis) as soon as possible.
It is important to work with a physical/occupational therapist who specialises in children and their developmental stages. Most children adapt naturally to their prosthesis, especially if they have been wearing it since the age of six or eight months. Therapy for preschool age children is often presented as games or free playing.
MPPO Amputee Rehabilitation Program
We offer rehabilitation to all of our patient’s however, have a specific program tailored to our amputee patients. Each patient receives an individualised plan for their current and future needs.