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Spina Bifida (Myelodysplasia)

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Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect; approximately 8 babies are born in the United States each day with a spina bifida diagnosis. Functional outcomes vary with the location of the lesion and the injury to the nerves.

How TheraTogs Can Help

If you can correct a postural or movement problem with your hands, without force, you can use TheraTogs to maintain that correction.

TheraTogs were designed to deliver the postural corrections that a therapist can manage without force during a treatment session. Because the fabric strapping shortens and assists working muscles, they are easily overwhelmed by heavy loads without muscle activity. Therefore, the lower the spinal lesion, the more effective TheraTogs can be when used to help to stabilize and align the torso and /or legs in functional positions. When more rigid orthoses are required, TheraTogs strapping is often used to supplement them by adding corrective, elastic leg rotation forces.

Which TheraTogs Systems to Use

These TheraTogs products can support therapy goals for children with Spina Bifida:

Applicable Evidence, Science, and Therapy Approaches

Learn more about the sciences and treatment approaches that are implemented in TheraTogs systems used with children with spina bifida.

Evidence. In a recent case study, TheraTogs leg rotation strapping was compared with twister cables. Though the strapping chosen by the researchers was not optimum – the opportunity to rotate the thighs inward and the legs outward was missed – the TheraTogs effects compared with those of the twister cables, and the child’s caretakers preferred the TheraTogs.[1]

Sciences that apply to the management of spina bifida:

Therapy approaches that can be used to address spina bifida:

More About Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida literally means “split spine.” Before birth, one area of the spinal column does not close completely, and the spinal cord and meninges protrude. Functional needs change over time and depend on secondary impairments. About 90 percent of babies born with Spina Bifida now live to be adults, about 80 percent have normal intelligence and about 75 percent play sports and do other fun activities.

Resources

Spina Bifida Association

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)

References

  1. Richards A, Morcos S, Rethlefsen S, Ryan D.2012. The use of TheraTogs versus twister cables in the treatment of in-toeing during gait in a child with spina bifida. Pediatr Phys Ther. Winter;24(4):321-6.

 

The typical TheraTogs client receives up to 10 hours of wearable therapy every day!