Pediatric physical therapy encompasses a broad spectrum of conditions and treatment approaches. The two primary categories of conditions treated in most outpatient clinics are orthopedic and neurodevelopmental. Orthopedic conditions in children can be congenital, acquired due to injury, or developed through repetitive strain or postural misalignment.
A common congenital condition in infants is Torticollis which is characterized by a shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle on one side of the neck. The can cause the child's head to tilt toward one side while rotating to the other. It is often associated with plagiocephaly, a flattening of an area of the child's head. Torticollis can vary in severity but typically responds well to conservative management which focuses on educating parents and caregivers about proper positioning, age-appropriate activities, and a combination of stretching and strengthening exercises.
Acquired orthopedic conditions are often those that occur as the result of an injury or accident. In younger children this can be fractures or soft tissue injuries that come as the result of a fall in the playground, while in pre-adolescent or adolescent children sports-related injuries such as ligament sprains or muscle strains are common.
Finally, children are susceptible to a unique category of repetitive strain injuries such as Osgood-schlatters disease which is an inflammatory condition at the insertion of the patellar tendon just below the knee. Or Sever's disease, a similar condition where the Achilles tendon attaches to the back of the heel.
Additionally, children are becoming increasingly likely to develop neck and back pain due to prolonged passive positioning and excessive screen-time when using tablets, phones, laptops, and video games. Pediatric physical therapists address these issues using a variety of techniques such as taping, massage, and the use of modalities to protect the injured area and reduce pain. Innovative functional strengthening and flexibility exercises are necessary to effectively engage younger children and teach good habits to help address the symptoms and prevent future episodes. A hallmark of pediatric treatment is creating a strong working relationship with parents and caregivers who become partners in implementing recommendations and achieving goals.