Tuesday, November 18, 2008

No More Braces Ma!

Salem was re-evaluated today. She is still intoeing a lot - mainly on the left and especially when she's tired. The therapist thinks her hip strength is better and is not convinced that the intoeing is coming from the hip but higher up on the foot thus making the braces ineffective. So she wants to take the braces off for 3 months and stop PT and see how she does on her own. I already know she's far more clumsy without them. So I am not sure. But we're willing. I don't want her to have to wear them if they don't help. Skills wise, the therapist said Salem is age appropriate except in risk planning/assessment - like swinging and suddenly letting go rather than slowing down to get off. She lets go and falls off (has happened several times at home and at PT). But she thinks that is inattention rather than an actual skills problem.

So we'll see in February! We'll keep up with the horse back riding therapy and gymnastics to keep her active and I'll ask her PE teacher and horse back riding instructor to watch for any obvious problems now that she won't have braces. At horse back riding she wears boots rather than braces anyway and they give her huge support, but I want to know if there is a problem with the lack of them overall.

Keep her in prayers. Salem is VERY excited about not wearing them! :)

3 comments:

Bonnie said...

Sounds very positive - hope all goes well for her. I can imagine how thrilled she is!!!!

Yours Truly said...

I wore full leg braces for a year beginning when I was 3 years old because I was pigeon-toed. The funny thing is that I remember wearing them 24/7, but I don't remember being self-conscious about them. My braces slowed rotated both of my legs. I think that is why on occasion my hips will ache. When my legs are tired from working or working out, I notice that my right foot will turn in a little.

Shannon said...

I hope it works out and she won't have to go back in them, Leah. What a relief it must be to not mess with them.