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PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES . Physical Disabilities May Be A Result Of... . Neuromuscular (Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injury) Orthopaedic (Amputations ) Cardiovascular (Stroke) Pulmonary disorders (COPD, Cystic Fibrosis) . WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON. Spina Bifida. Dr. Amanda Faith Casey

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PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

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  1. PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

  2. Physical Disabilities May Be A Result Of... • Neuromuscular (Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injury) • Orthopaedic (Amputations) • Cardiovascular (Stroke) • Pulmonary disorders (COPD, Cystic Fibrosis)

  3. WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON....

  4. Spina Bifida Dr. Amanda Faith Casey Department of Human Kinetics St. Francis Xavier University

  5. What is Spina Bifida? • What? Congenital defect of spinal column involves failure of vertebrae to completely enclose the spinal cord or it’s coverings (meninges). • When?: 4th- 6th week of pregnancy. • Bifida: Latin word “cleft” or “split into two parts”. • How many? 11,000 children born each year (CDC, 2010).

  6. Important Considerations… • Lack of fusion of the bone plates that form the spinal arch may affect any level of the vertebrae. • Several vertebrae may be fused together (shorter back). • Bony protrusion in the midline of the back. • Leg, bladder and bowel difficulty possible (Shin, 2010)

  7. Diagnosis Of Spina Bifida Prenatal Tests 1. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Test • Between 16 and 18 weeks • Blood sample taken from mother • High AFP reading linked to Spina Bifida 2. Ultrasounds • Spinal defects visible. 3. Folic acid • ↓ folic acid = ↑ risk of Spina Bifida -

  8. What are the Causes??? • Exact cause = mystery. • Suspect multifactoral: Genetic, nutrition, environment. • Chromosone abnormalities • Low folic acid. • Medication e.g. Valproate, lamotrigine. • Maternal diabetes • Obesity

  9. Types of Spina Bifida • Type 1: Spina Bifida Occulta • Type 2: Spina Bifida Meningocele • Type 3: Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele

  10. Occulta • Mildest form. • Affects any level of the spine. • Signs (Williamson, 1987) • A tuft of hair • Birthmarks • Dimple mark on the occulta • Mainly in the lower part of the back. • Symptoms • Back stiffness and pain • Fat pat over the occulta • Skin covers spinal deformity. • Does NOT cause paralysis or muscle weakness • Associated with adult back problems.

  11. Meningocele • Meninges push through the hole in the vertebrae • When Sac (meningocele) NOT covered by skin surgery becomes urgent. • Hydrocephalus may occur. • May have few/no symptoms or • Incomplete paralysis with urinary and bowel dysfunction. • A fluid filled sac protruding from the spinal cord.

  12. Myelomeningocele • Most severe . • Differs from meningocele in that the spinal cord is also pushed through the hole in the vertebrae. • Classified as defect of the neural tube. • Death 10% of infants. • Bowel/ bladder control problems. • ADHD or other learning disabilities. • Some paralysis (Tarby, 1991) • Severity depends on where opening occurs on the back. • The higher the position = More severe paralysis. • 80-90% hydrocephalus (Shin, 2010).

  13. Hydrocephalus... • Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) does not flow properly and builds up in the ventricles of the brain causing pressure. • Surgically relieved by shunting procedure. • Shunts (tubes or catheters) sometimes become clogged and must be replaced. • Symptoms of shunt problems: • Headaches -irritability • Vomiting -swelling • Seizures • Lethargy • No activity restrictions except avoidance of trauma to the head. • Only visible evidence of shunt is a small scar behind the ear.

  14. Treatment: Pre Versus Post Natal Surgery???? • Traditionally post natal surgery performed. • Surgical repair of a spinal birth defect before birth may improve mobility and reduce risk of serious complications from MM. • New research: Infants who received prenatal surgery less likely to need follow-up procedure to divert or shunt, fluid away from the brain. • Prenatal surgery resulted in significant improvements to both mental and motor functions. • Children in prenatal surgery twice as likely to be able to walk without orthotics or crutches (42%) as children who received postnatal surgery (21%). • Prenatal surgery more likely to cause preterm labour. • See Adzick et al., 2011

  15. Planning Physical Activity • Initiate PA early to facilitate functional movement. • Need to ascertain movement potential. • Exercise should involve wide-range of activities (Horvat, 2007). • Flexibility exercise – To delay contractures. • Resistance exercise – To increase functional strength • Aerobic training – To promote healthy lifestyle & aid weight management. • Aquatics may offset weakness in lower extremities. • HR elevated 20-45mins (ACSM, 2010). • Teach gross motor skills to facilitate coordination. • Triceps & shoulders important to train as aid in wheelchair transfers (O’Connell, 1992). • Latex Allergy • Possible weight gain added complication to reduced functional status (Dixon & Rekate, 1991). • Complete fitness program = decreased obesity, stronger bones, better bowel function (Horvat, 2007)

  16. Benefits of Physical Activity for Individuals w/ Spina Bifida

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