Balance is the ability to maintain your center of gravity over a base of support. Balance can be affected greatly by growth spurts and injuries. A Physical therapist can help to improve and develop balance strategies, and to restore balance after an injury. Physical therapy treatment focuses on core muscle strengthening, weight shift and proprioception.

Coordination is the ability to perform smooth and controlled movements. Individuals with low muscle tone and joint laxity frequently have difficulty coordinating arm and leg movements. They may appear slow or clumsy to their peers. A Pediatric Physical Therapist is able to evaluate movement and musculoskeletal properties, as well as compensations techniques that are contributing to lack of coordination and develop a treatment plan to improve bilateral coordination.

Dislocation occurs when there is abnormal separation of a joint. Subluxation is used to describe a partial dislocation. Individuals with low muscle tone (hypotonia) are at greatest risk of dislocation. The most common joints for dislocation are the elbow, shoulder, hip and knee. Physical therapy is recommended to help strengthen the muscles around the dislocating joint. Surgical correction may be necessary with frequent/severe dislocations and continuing pain. Physical therapy is recommended after surgery to restore normal range of motion, strength and function

Nerve Injuries occur when a nerve is stretched, pinched or cut, and can lead to temporary or permanent damage to the feeling or movement of the involved body part.  Injuries can occur due to over use, trauma, or disease. Physical therapy is recommended to help maintain joint range of motion, and for re-education of the involved muscles.

Osgood Schlatters is a condition characterized by pain and inflammation of the patellar tendon below the knee cap. Often, there is enlargement of the bone (tibial tuberosity) in the lower leg where the tendon attaches. It is an overuse injury typically seen in growing adolescents who participate in soccer, gymnastics, basketball and long distance running. Physical therapy is recommended to reduce pain and swelling and to provide education on proper warm up and stretching of the quadriceps muscles.

Physical therapists play a key role in pre and post operative rehabilition.

Pre surgical rehab refers to physical therapy that is given to patients who want to avoid surgery or those that have surgery scheduled in the near future.  Treatment usually involves strengthening exercises and gait training.

 Post surgical rehab refers to physical therapy services that are provided after a surgical procedure.  The goal of treatment is to achieve the  fastest recovery without endangering the surgical repair.

Severʼs Disease is a common condition that occurs in growing children and adolescents that is very similar to Osgood Schlatters disease. It is characterized by heel pain in the area where the achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone (calcaneus). Pain is often present with running and jumping activities. Physical therapy is recommended to help reduce pain and inflammation and to provide information on proper warm up and stretching of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Individuals with this condition tend to also present with ankle pronation and may benefit from orthotics.

Tendonitis is a term used to describe inflammation to a tendon.  An individual will be able to point to a specific area that feels sore and may be swollen or hot to the touch.  Tendons are fibrous bands that attach muscles to bones.  Tendonitis is caused by repeated stress to a tendon and is frequently due to muscle imbalance or poor flexibility.  It is one of the most common overuse injuries.  Athletes who participate in basketball, swimming, tennis and golf are prone to tendonitis of the shoulder and arm.  Soccer players, long distance runners and dancers tend to get inflammation of the tendons of the hip, knee, ankle and foot.  A physical therapist is able to help identify the cause of the tendonitis and work with the athlete to reduce pain and swelling and provide an exercise program to improve muscle balance and flexibility. Splinting, Orthotics or Kinesio taping may be used to reduce stress to the injured tendon.  If left untreated, tendonitis can lead to more serious complications including muscle tears and evulsion fractures requiring surgical intervention.