Contact Us!  817-488-8833

10 Sundance Court

Trophy Club, TX 76262

We love Meehan Sports Therapy & Pediatrics!  Kelley has helped our son Cash gain strength and independence.  She manages to do the impossible…turn hard work into fun!  Cash always looks forward to his visits.

-Jeff and JCee Carothers

Keller, TX

PEDIATRICS & EARLY INTERVENTION

Pediatric care always starts in the home. That's why at Meehan Sports Therapy & Pediatrics we take a family approach to our pediatric care, making sure that all of our children receive the specialized care that their bodies need and that all out parents are given the information and tools to facilitate the healthy development of all of their children.

Brachial Plexus Palsy

Brachial Plexus Palsy refers to weakness in the muscles of the arm due to nerve damage. It is usually caused when an infantʼs neck is stretched to the side during a difficult delivery of a very large baby, or a baby with breech presentation. Physical therapy is recommended to provide gentle range of motion exercises and parent education regarding positioning to facilitate the return of feeling and movement to the affected arm.

Developmental Delay

Developmental Delay is a diagnosis that is usually given to children under 5 years of age,who do not have another more specific diagnosis, and are not attaining motor milestones at the same rate as their peers. There are numerous factors that can cause developmental delay including: allergies,behavior, cognition, illness, nutrition, hospitalization, etc. Physical Therapy is recommended to evaluate and monitor motor delays and to develop treatment plans to improve motor skills.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is characterized by joint hyper mobility, and skin extensibility. It is caused by a defect in the connective tissue that can result in frequent joint subluxations or dislocations, joint pain and gait abnormalities. Physical therapy is recommended to prevent joint deformity, assist with frequent injuries of muscles, and to provide support/stability to allow normal movement and function. Orthotics may be needed to provide adequate joint support.

Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile arthritis (JRA) is a chronic auto immune disease that affects 250,000 children under the age of 16 years. A child with JRA will frequently present with inflamed or swollen joints. The most common joints affected are in the hands/wrists, feet/ankles, and knees. Medications are recommended to control inflammation and pain, and physical therapy is recommended to maintain full joint range of motion and help the child achieve and maintain functional skills.

Plagiocephaly

Plagiocephaly is a condition typically seen in infants. It is diagnosed when flattening is noted on one side of the head behind the ear. The flattening is caused by the infant lying on their back with their head turned to one side. Plagiocephaly is associated with torticollis. Physical therapy treatment includes positioning, stretching and strengthening exercises, and home instructions for the parents/caregivers. A cranial remolding helmet is frequently recommended if the flattening does not improve by the time an infant is 4-6 months of age.

Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord and its coverings, and is frequently diagnosed before or immediately after birth. Symptoms can vary from mild with no muscle involvement to severe with complete paralysis of many of the leg muscles. The degree of paralysis depends upon where the opening occurs in the spine. Physical therapy is recommended to help prevent bone deformity and to help the child achieve milestones, like rolling, sitting and crawling. Many children with Spina Bifida will need orthotics to support their paralyzed muscles and enable them to stand and walk with support. A Physical Therapist can also assist the family in recommending and ordering of wheelchairs and other equipment.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a diagnosis used to describe a variety of symptoms resulting from abnormalities or damage to the brain. Cerebral Palsy affects the central nervous system, and typically a young child will present with delays in motor skills and may have unusually high or low tone. Premature babies are at greater risk for Cerebral Palsy due to their fragile blood vessels and increased risk of inter ventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Symptoms may vary from very mild to severe. Physical therapy is recommended immediately after a diagnosis to help the child learn skills like rolling, sitting, creeping, coming to stand and walking. Orthotics are frequently used to provide support for weak muscles or to control high tone. A physical therapist is also able to assist a family in the ordering of wheelchairs and other equipment that may be needed to improve joint alignment and independent mobility.

Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome is one of the most common genetic disorders and is typically diagnosed before or shortly after birth. A child with Down syndrome may have abnormalities of the heart or stomach which will need to be addressed immediately. Children with Down Syndrome tend to have low muscle tone(hypotonia) or weak muscles, and have joint laxity which makes them very flexible. Physical therapy focuses on preventing abnormal movements and achievement of developmental skills.otics are often used to provide proper foot/ankle alignment and stability as a child is learning to stand and walk.

Hypotonia

Hypotonia is a term used to describe the feel of muscle at rest. Hypotonia is present in children and adults and is thought to run in families. People with hypotonic muscles tend to be very flexible and are sometimes described as “double jointed”. Flexibility is good, but if a child or adult has too much joint mobility, the individual may have difficulty with balance and stability leading to clumsy or uncoordinated movements. Physical therapy evaluation includes the proper identification of muscle tone, isolated muscle movements and common compensation techniques. Treatment may include stretching and strengthening activities and orthotics if needed.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder that causes brittle bones resulting in numerous fractures. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Common symptoms of OI include: short stature, triangular shaped face, breathing problems, hearing loss, brittle teeth, and bone deformities. Physical therapy focuses on achieving and maintaining full joint range of motion, muscle strengthening and the achievement and maintenance of functional motor skills. It is very important that the physical therapist have an understanding of the different types of OI and be able to maximize the childʼs potential without causing further fractures.

Reluctant Walker

Reluctant Walker is a term used to describe an infant who is not yet walking independently by 14-15 months of age. Reluctant or late walkers tend to have a lot of flexibility in their joints. A parent may notice that the childʼs feet turn in, or the ankles look wobbly when the child is held in standing. A pediatric physical therapist can develop a treatment plan that includes strength and balance activities and assist the family in a home exercise program. Orthotics may be recommended to help provide additional foot/ankle stability.

Torticollis

Torticollis a condition typically seen in infants and is diagnosed when tightness is noted in the neck muscles. Infants with torticollis prefer to look to one side and may tilt or cock their head to the other side. Torticollis is thought to develop due to crowding in the uterus. It is not uncommon for a family to notice this preference in the first few days to weeks after birth. Physical therapy treatment includes positioning,and gentle stretching and strengthening exercises as well as a home instructions for the parents/caregivers. Torticollis is frequently associated with plagiocephaly.

Early Intervention Testimonial

We love Meehan Sports Therapy & Pediatrics!  Kelley has helped our son Cash gain strength and independence.  She manages to do the impossible…turn hard work into fun!  Cash always looks forward to his visits.

 

-Jeff and JCee Carothers

Keller, TX

© Meehan Sports Therapy & Pediatric Rehab  |  10 Sundance Court Trophy Club, TX 76262  |  817-488-8833

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