Page 18 - Mobility Management, May/June 2021

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The Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited with saying, There is nothing perma- nent except change. That could be the summation for cerebral palsy (CP): Though it’s not progressive, its presentation changes with time. Children with CP grow, of course. But even when they reach adulthood, their symptoms can change.
CEREBRAL
When the Primary Diagnosis Isn’t Everything
PALSY
Angie Kiger, M.Ed., CTRS, ATP/SMS, is the Clinical Strategy & Education Manager for Sunrise Medical. And she brings a personal perspective to this discussion on changing presentations.
CP ISN’T PROGRESSIVE,
BUT PRESENTATIONS CHANGE AS TIME GOES ON
By Laurie Watanabe
“I am a low-tone baby, all grown up,” Kiger explained. Diagnosed as an infant, she worked with a physical therapist while learning to walk. A few years ago, Kiger resumed PT visits.
18 MAY-JUNE2021|MOBILITYMANAGEMENT
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“I see her every so often, just to check up on things,” Kiger said of her physical therapist. When she’s noticed a new pain, some body part that hasn’t hurt before, Kiger said, “I’ve asked her, ‘Why is this different?’ And she says, ‘It’s the natural aging process. Your body has adapted with compensatory strategies, but your body’s not designed to do that. You’re now breaking down and having pain because you learned a completely incorrect way. So yes, it’s your low tone, but it’s the aging process, too.’”
That was a revelation to Kiger. “As people focus on seating and mobility, no matter what age group, pediatrics through adulthood, our nature is to focus
on ‘What’s your primary diagnosis?’” she said. “As seating specialists, we can become hyper-focused on the diagnosis that’s causing [the client] to be in that chair. Looking at the natural aging process may sometimes be forgotten. I think some basic medical diagnosis may get overlooked for people who have an under- lying or primary condition such as CP.”
Alex Chesney, OTR, ATP/SMS, Clinical Sales Manager-Midwest South for
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