engexercises

LOCOMOTOR DISABILITY by NIRMALA VENKATESWARAN & VOLUNTEERS OF VIDYA VRIKSHAH EXERCISES

Positioning and correct Postures.
This is a very important aspect that needs to be attended to, in the case of any child with a locomotor disability, whether it be because of Polio, amputation or congenital malformation.

Positioning for a child lying on back.

1.Make the child lie on his back
2.Place a towel, tightly rolled, under his knees. 3.Keep ankle joints at right angles to the floor, supporting the feet with sandbags and pillows

Positioning for a child lying on abdomen

1.Make the child lie on abdomen, face down.
2.Keep the feet away from the end of the bed
3.Make the child turn his face sideways, for comfort.

Exercises for the legs.
These exercises should be done on the ground or on a wooden bed
Steps.

1.Make the child lie on his back
2.Let him lift the left leg up, as much as he can
3.Now let him slowly put the leg down, without sudden jerks.
4.While lifting the leg and bringing it down, the knee should be straight, the back on the ground or bed.

5.Let the child bend the knee and bring it upto the chest.
6.Slowly bring the leg back to the original position

7.Pull the foot up gently at the ankle.
8. Bring the foot back to the original position
9. Let the child move the leg outwards, away from the body.
10.Bring the leg back to the original position.

11. Let the child bend the knee and keep the foot on the ground.
12.Let the child roll the knee, inwards and outwards. 13.While the child rolls the knee, see that he does not turn the body. 14. Let the child bring the leg back to the original position.

15. let the child lie on his abdomen, turn face downwards and lift the leg up.

16.Bring the leg back, slowly.

17. Bend the knee, with the heel of the leg touching the same side of hip.
18. Bring the knee back slowly. Make the child perform all these movements with the other leg. If the child finds it difficult to perform the movements, gently help him.

Exercise for the arms.
Steps.

1.Let the child lie on his back, with the arms by
his side.
2.Ask him to lift the arm over the head, as far as it goes.
3. Let him bring the arm back to the original position .

4.Ask him to move the arm sideways, without bending his body.
5.Let him bring the arm back to the original position.
6.Let him keep the arm straight and rotate it inwards and outwards.

7. Ask the child to bend his elbow
8. Let him straighten the elbow.

9. Ask the child to bend the elbow and rotate only the forearm.

10. Let the child bend the elbow and move the wrist up and down and sideways.

11.Let the child make a fist and then open it.

All these exercises must be repeated with the other arm. He must be offered assistance, if necessary.

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