What is your treatment plan for children with diplegia and hemiplegia?
Mary Keen, MD, says most children with diplegia and hemiplegia walk so she strives to facilitate independent ambulation. In order to achieve safe, efficient ambulation, Dr. Keen says children need adequate balance, adequate core strength, endurance and functional range of motion in both lower extremities. She says her treatment plan addresses these areas of function but the approach varies with each child. Each component generally requires skilled physical therapy and a home program of exercises, which Dr. Keen and the physical therapist(s) determine. Dr. Keen says the home program may include things like wearing Lycra garments for core strengthening and using electrical stimulation for specific muscle strengthening. Dr. Keen notes that such a program always includes stretching (preferably not passive). This usually involves a variation of the “runner’s stretch” and long sitting for a prolonged and full hamstring stretch, according to Dr. Keen. Another mainstay of her treatment plan is
