Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition that affects movement, muscle tone, and coordination, often leading to challenges with walking (gait) and an increased risk of orthopedic complications. While the condition presents unique challenges, physical therapy can help improve mobility, promote independence, and reduce the risk of future deformities.
In this blog, we’ll explore how physical therapy helps children with cerebral palsy enhance their quality of life and support their long-term orthopedic health.
Challenges in Gait and Mobility for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Children with CP may experience various gait abnormalities, including:
- Toe-walking: Walking on the balls of the feet due to muscle tightness or spasticity.
- Crouch gait: Excessive bending at the knees and hips while walking.
- Scissor gait: Inward crossing of the legs while stepping due to tight adductor muscles.
- Asymmetrical gait: Uneven stride or movement due to muscle imbalances.
These gait challenges are often caused by muscle spasticity, weakness, and poor motor coordination. Over time, they can lead to secondary complications, such as joint contractures, hip dislocation, and spinal deformities, further limiting mobility and independence.
How Physical Therapy Improves Gait Quality
Physical therapy focuses on improving strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance to enhance walking mechanics. Here’s how therapists address gait challenges in children with CP:
1. Targeted Strengthening Exercises through the use of the Universal Exercise Unit (UEU)
Weak muscles, particularly in the legs and core, often contribute to gait abnormalities. Therapists design exercises that build strength in these muscle groups, improving the child’s ability to support their weight and walk more efficiently using our specialized equipment.
The UEU helps to eliminate gravity and provides many different options for facilitation. At Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy Clinic, we utilize UEUs for all disciplines and ages with activities varying from stretching and strengthening to standing, trunk control, and more. The activities within the UEU allow the patient to develop new movement patterns, and increase muscle strength, range of motion, balance, and coordination while simultaneously addressing sensory needs.
2. Stretching and Range-of-Motion Techniques
Spasticity or tightness in muscles like the calves, hamstrings, or hip flexors can limit movement. Regular stretching and range-of-motion exercises help reduce tightness, allowing for smoother and more natural walking patterns.
At Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy Clinic we use our UEU in two ways. One is to suspend weights with pulleys and provide isolated muscle stretching and strengthening to give the body a safe, intensive, and effective workout. The other way we use the UEU is through bungee cords that attach to a belt on the patient. This allows us to position the patient in ideal alignment and work on positions such as sitting, standing, and 4-point.
3. Gait Training
Therapists use specialized techniques and tools, such as parallel bars, treadmills, or gait trainers, to teach children proper walking mechanics. Gait training focuses on improving stride length, foot placement, and weight shifting to promote a more symmetrical and functional gait.
At Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy Clinic we use our partial weight-bearing systems to unweight the patient and make them successful for walking with or without an assistive device. This system allows us to grade their weight-bearing while the therapist facilitates walking patterns/movements to reach their goals. This system supports their entire weight if needed so that the brain can re-establish the pathways needed to walk with or without an assistive device and reduces the pressure on the joints making it a safer mode for retraining and strengthening.
4. Assistive Devices and Orthotics
Physical therapists recommend and train children to use assistive devices, such as walkers or canes, to support walking. Custom orthotics or braces may also be prescribed to improve alignment, stabilize joints, and prevent abnormal movements.
5. Balance and Coordination Activities
Poor balance and coordination can lead to falls and unsafe walking patterns. Therapists incorporate activities like standing on one leg, obstacle courses, or balance board exercises to enhance stability and confidence. All of these activities are done in our universal exercise unit to promote better alignment and graded resistance for a more intensive therapy session.
Preventing Future Orthopedic Deformities
Consistent physical therapy not only improves gait but also prevents the development of orthopedic deformities, such as:
- Joint Contractures: Regular stretching and mobility exercises keep joints flexible, reducing the risk of stiffness and permanent shortening.
- Hip Dislocation: Strengthening and alignment-focused therapies help maintain proper hip positioning.
- Spinal Deformities: Core strengthening and postural training minimize the risk of scoliosis or other spinal issues.
By addressing these risks early, physical therapy helps children avoid painful surgeries and maintain greater mobility as they grow.
The Role of Early Intervention
Starting physical therapy early is crucial for children with CP. Early intervention maximizes the child’s potential by taking advantage of their developmental plasticity—the ability of the young brain and body to adapt and learn new skills. Early physical therapy allows therapists to address gait abnormalities before they become ingrained, improving outcomes and reducing the need for future interventions.
Family Involvement and Home Programs
The success of physical therapy is enhanced when families are actively involved. Therapists often develop home exercise programs tailored to the child’s needs, allowing parents to reinforce therapy goals between sessions. Activities such as stretching, strength exercises, or balance games can become part of the family’s daily routine, supporting long-term progress.
Building a Brighter Future Through Physical Therapy
Physical therapy empowers children with cerebral palsy to achieve their highest potential. By improving gait quality and addressing factors that contribute to orthopedic deformities, therapy enhances the child’s overall quality of life.
At Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy Clinic, our skilled therapists and specialized equipment help children with CP, providing intensive, specialized, and personalized care that supports their unique needs and goals. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to move with confidence and live their best life!
Contact us today to learn more about how physical therapy at Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy Clinic can help your child build strength, improve mobility, and achieve a brighter future.
