Paediatric Orthotics

Orthoses are externally applied medical devices used to prevent or correct musculoskeletal deformities and improve physical functioning; these devices are typically custom made. This is one of very few books on the subject of orthotics published in recent years and the only book focusing solely on the orthotic management of children.

The first part of the book considers the principles that are fundamental to orthotic management, including a review of biomechanics, consideration of clinical assessment methods, and the materials and fabrication techniques used to make orthoses. The second part of the book comprises several condition-specific chapters that consider the appropariate orthotic management of the more common conditions in childhood in the context of multidisciplinary care. The chapters include neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy, myelomeningocoele and muscular dystrophy; and also congenital deformities and conditions arising in childhood. One chapter considers orthotic intervention for idiopathic scoliosis and another considers the sometimes controversial issue of protective and corrective headwear. Whilst by no means exhaustive, Paediatric Orthotics provides both a basic grounding in the subject together with practical guidance to help clinical practice.

Paediatric Orthotics will be of use, not only to orthotists but also to physical and occupational therapists, paediatricians, paediatric orthopaedic surgeons and physiatrists. The book is also essential reading for all students and clinicians involved in the physical management of children with disabilities.

Clinics in Developmental Medicine No. 175

AUTHORS’ APPOINTMENTS vii

FOREWORD ix

1. INTRODUCTION 1

Christopher Morris

2. BIOMECHANICAL PRINCIPLES 4

Christopher Morris

3. ASSESSMENT 13

Christopher Morris, Nicholas Gryfakis, Michael El-Shammaa

and Luciano Dias

4. MATERIALS, COMPONENTS AND FABRICATION 28

Christopher Morris

5. UPPER-LIMB ORTHOSES 34

Nicole Parent-Weiss

6. LOWER-LIMB ORTHOSES 44

Christopher Morris

7. CONGENITAL DEFORMITIES 67

Christopher Morris and Luciano Dias

8. CONDITIONS ARISING IN CHILDHOOD 77

Christopher Morris and Luciano Dias

9. CEREBRAL PALSY 85

Christopher Morris

10. MUSCULAR DYSTROPHIES, SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHIES 101

AND PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHIES

Nicola Thompson, Steve Porter and Christopher Morris

11. MYELOMENINGOCOELE 119

Brigid Driscoll, Robert Novak and Luciano Dias

12. IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS 139

Paul Horwood

13. PROTECTIVE AND CORRECTIVE HEADWEAR 158

Sheila Kellner and Trevor da Silva

INDEX 172