27 May Did you know that optimal hip development is important so that a child can have the opportunity to learn to walk

Did you know that optimal hip development is important so that a child can have the opportunity to learn to walk
Wondering how you can help your child with Cerebral Palsy achieve optimal hip development

Children with Cerebral Palsy typically are born with normal anatomic hip alignment. During growth, hip development may be affected due to a combination of variables. Lack of weight bearing in combination with muscle imbalance and spasticity is the main contributor to hip migration. Hip migration is a common problem in children with cerebral palsy, which ultimately can lead to hip dislocation.

As such, the Expert Paediatric Physiotherapists here at My Favourite Physio are always mindful about promoting optimal hip development for every child we meet, especially children with Cerebral Palsy.
Here are 3 ways we promote optimal hip development in children:
1. Encourage and teach a child to crawl. Crawling on hands and knees is the first form of weight bearing to the hips to deepen the hip joint and prevent hip migration later on. Crawling on hands and knees teaches baby to move their arms and hands alternately which is the movement pattern required to learn to walk.

2. Provide opportunity to stand. Standing allows the hip joint to deepen reducing the risk of hip migration and hip dislocation. Standing practice can be achieved either through exercises that specifically targets standing balance or by using a standing frame. A child needs to spend at least 2 hours a day in standing to make a difference to their hip joint development.

3. Provide opportunity to walk. Studies have shown that children who were able to stand by the age of 3 years showed better hip development than children who achieved this by 7 years and 6 months or who never pulled to stand. We help children achieve walking by using our Harnessed Treadmill Walking System or customised walkers.

So if your child with CP isn’t getting the above opportunities to improve their hip development, reach out to My Favourite Physio on (02) 9790 4233 or DM us @myfavouritephysio to find out how we can help your child achieve optimal hip development today!