Development and Conservative Management of Pediatric Equinus Deformity - Part 1

Course overview

This course is designed for the practitioner who has experience in working with children with CNS dysfunction and habitual toe walking, including physical therapists, orthotists, pediatric orthopedists and PM&R physicians. We believe that team education fosters more effective teamwork The content covered in this program spans a range of topics related to foot function and development; postural control acquisition and its influence on foot development; gait development and gait pathology related to foot pathomechanics; physiologic adaptation of lower limb muscle to routine use - both ideal and pathologic; and the contribution of postural control deficits to equinus deformity development. A review of science-based assessment of passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (PADFROM) prepares participants for training in lab sessions. The assessment findings serve as outcome data and lead to a systematic clinical decision-making process regarding optimizing orthotic design. Billi applies these sciences to a review of strategies for optimizing body weight loading on - and somatosensory input from - the feet, using customized and specialized cast boots and orthoses. 11.5 hours