Hemiplegia and stiffness

Sapphia

Hi all, I am new here and looking for some advice please.  My 2 year old has left sided hemiplegia. His left leg gets stiff and sticks out when in his pushchair. Will this be uncomfortable for him? I am wondering whether I should buy a pushchair that supports his legs better.
Also, he keeps telling me that his foot hurts. Will this be related to his cp?
Thanks in advance.

OlliHannah

Hi Sapphia

I know it's really hard sometimes to get answers to all the questions that come with a diagnosis of hemiplegia.

I'm not sure what area you live in but if you contact Scope's helpline on 0808 800 3333 they may be able to put you in touch with a local Information & Advice Worker who could support you in getting some answers (although unfortunately sometimes there aren't any straightforward answers). Does your son have any support from a physiotherapist as they are always a good source of advice & information as well.

Let us know how you get on :-)

Sapphia

Hi Olli, 

Thank you for your reply. It is hard because I want to help him but he can't yet explain to me how he is feeling. 

I will try that. He does have a physio working with him. She is coming to see him again a week on Monday. I often end up with more questions after our sessions and don't want to keep pestering her!

Stayce

Hi Sapphia,

I have right sided Hemi. In my experience stiffness can be uncomfortable.

 It truly feels like having two very separate halves of your body.

Regarding the stiffness, I know it sounds really simple, but warm baths will really help - try adding Epsom salts or arnica oil (not sure which is suitable for a 2 year old so check package before purchase)

I find Hemi help very useful. Check them out on http://www.hemihelp.org.uk There are some great resources here and people to meet

If you need any further help or have any other questions about the condition just get in touch. I will do my best to help

Best wishes
Stayce

Sapphia

Hi Stacey

Thank you for your reply. I will look into the Epsom Salts and Arnica Oil. 

I will check out Hemingford Help. It sounds good.

Stayce

Hi Sapphira,

I have thought about your pushchair issue some more. With Hemiplegia most people will have a lack of sensation in the affected limbs, meaning that your son may not be aware where in space his left leg is. So he may not realize his leg is sticking out then it becomes stiff as a result. I would ask your physiotherapist a couple of things

a) handling Techniques that you can use to guide him to put his affected limb on the pushchair foot rest. Do you see a physio that specializes in neurological conditions as these physios specialise in such handling Techniques? 

b) I would ask the physio about whether you could tape your son's foot on to the push chair footrest with velcro (only lightly) so that your son can get an idea of what it feels like to place it there. This is how a lot of paralympic cyclists learn to keep their affected  limb on the pedals.

c) Ask your physio for some exercises with a roller. You will be able to literally lie your son on the roller and roll your son on this and it will losen his hips. By and large hip rotation with Hemiplegia will lend itself to foot pain. 

Best wishes

Sapphia

Thanks for taking the time to think about this Stayce. I really appreciate it 

This makes a lot of sense, but I think part of the problem is that he cannot reach the foot rest. I will speak to the physio about your ideas on this though and the hip rotation.