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Physiotherapy in the metabolic bone team

The physiotherapists in the metabolic bone team are: Claire Hill, Davina Ford, Caroline Marr, and Grace Whitaker.

They specialise in working with children that have osteogenesis imperfecta, and other bone conditions such as X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets, hypophosphatasia, juvenile osteoporosis and achondroplasia. We work as a multi-disciplinary team, taking referrals from Dr Steph Borg, Dr Paul Arundel and Dr Elspeth Ferguson.

Physiotherapists can help maximise physical potential, facilitating a child’s participation in home, school and community life. We strive to help children return to activities after injury and to encourage new goals and aspirations to be made. When children also have a physiotherapist close to home we can work in partnership, offering advice and joint working. Teachers, carers and parents are key to helping children make improvements as development skills and strengthening activities should be practiced regularly. Some services that are offered include:

  • provide walking aids such as crutches and frames when needed
  • helping children and parents prepare for surgery
  • exercises to help maintain strength, flexibility and function
  • post-operative physiotherapy leg, arm and spinal surgery, although children with achondroplasia and skeletal dysplasia will receive this from the PLRS physiotherapy service
  • rehabilitation after fracture

Here are some examples of what our physiotherapists can also help with, based on the age of the child.

Babies, toddlers and up to 5 years of age

  • teaching how to handle infants and children
  • encouraging children’s development, with emphasis on gross motor skills, but also all aspects of their development
  • offering play ideas and encouraging activities that promote development where a child is too young for formal exercise
  • communicating with nurseries and schools to make sure children have the correct supporting advice before starting

Children aged 5 to 11

  • give advice on PE and playtimes, including outdoor play equipment
  • to advice about transitioning to secondary school
  • advise about activities on school residentials
  • encourage out of schools activities and promote a fun and active lifestyle

Please see our primary school leaflets for Osteogenesis Imperfecta and achondroplasia .

Teenagers aged 12 to 18

  • PE advice – often new skills and sports are on the curriculum
  • encourage and teach pacing of activities and managing fatigue
  • teaching young people basic exercise skills for life-long self management of strength
  • encouraging participation in an active lifestyle for long term health support
  • we offer support to prepare to transition to adult services where there may be irregular physiotherapy input

Please see our secondary school leaflet for achondroplasia and osteogenesis imperfecta and OI advice for PE lesson.

Hydrotherapy sessions

There are a limited number of hydrotherapy sessions ran by one of our specialist physiotherapists on Thursday mornings at Ryegate children’s centre.  This is a good way of beginning rehabilitation after fracture or surgery, or even to have a go at water play/swimming in a more quiet environment.  Please contact us if you would like your child to access some of these sessions, even as a one off for some ideas.

School advice

Often schools request further support from our team to make sure that all measures are taken to make sure that children can participate in the full curriculum, safely alongside their peers at school and achieve their full potential. Physio’s can give advice about PE, moving safely around the school or demonstrate an exercise programme. When required, they might complete a school visit, sometimes alongside our occupational therapy colleagues.  If your child is returning to school after a fracture or surgery they can give advice to school, but school may need to consult local authority moving and handling representatives also.

Home visits

Visiting your child at home helps the physio to understand how they move and function in their own home.  Sometimes seeing a child at home can make a positive difference to engagement, especially in the early years as the child may feel more comfortable and safe.

Physiotherapists can liaise with occupational therapists to see if there are any adaptations that can be made within the home to make home life easier, such as bathroom equipment.

Orthotics referrals

If your child needs to have orthotics, such as insoles or splints, they can refer to our orthotic service. For example, children with bone conditions often have flat feet because the ligaments in the feet are too flexible. Insoles can correct this and may improve walking distance and aches and pains in the lower leg. They can refer to local orthotics, although they may need to seek support from a local consultant or GP, depending on local procedures.

It is important to ensure that child who have one leg longer are supported with a shoe raise insert, they will do this by measuring the length of the legs and checking the pelvic alignment in standing.

Contact us

If you have any questions or concerns, read more about what we do in the Paediatric Bone team, or contact us on 0114 226 7890 or sheffield.boneteam@nhs.net.

Further resources

The Brittle Bone Society can provide further information on Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

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Disclaimer

Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.

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Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TH

United Kingdom

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