Dyna Splint

[Me&Ashley]

I haven't really got to be to involved w/ the group having a new baby & all...things have been quite busy for us but their starting to get a "little easier" so i had some time to go through some past posts & a couple that caught my attention were the "Dyna Splint" topics. I just want to say that anyone that has the opportunity to rent/purchase one of these splints they are AWESOME. Our pt/ot got one fitted for Ashley for her elbow being so tight she needed constant stretching so after about a week to two weeks her arm was completely straight. I just had to return it last week cause our time ran out & our insurance only covers so much of durable equipment costs per year. I'm hoping that come January that will count the new calendar year & we can get her another one. On another not they are pretty big & bulky at least the one we had was & if your child can get used to it its a major major benefit. Just a thought. melissa

[Francine_Litz]

hi Melissa - so glad that you had good results with the dynasplint. Maia had one also when she was 2 and then last year she had an Ultraflex splint - same type of splint but custom made. I have pictures of all kinds of splints here:
http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/splints.html

-francine

[Me&Ashley]

Thanks Francine. I wish i could purchase something for Ashley thats permanent. We're haVing so many problems with preventing her elbow from tightening up.
I'll definitley take a look...maybe it'll help us w/ some ideas. Thanks, Melissa

[Francine_Litz]

Melissa - how old is Ashley?

I believe that the key is to find the cause of the tightening.

is it because there's a muscle imbalance and triceps are weaker? if so - then you need to work on the triceps (e-stim is one way)

is it because there is malpositioning of the shoulder itself or contractures in the shoulder? a bpi specialist would be able to tell you

is it because of disuse? is it because of posturing.... is she holding a toy in the crook of her arm all the time (thus shortening the muscle)...

you see this kind of thing as all things with bpi can be very complicated and the reasons are very different with each child and that's why it's really important to go to a bpi specialist who can tell you what the cause is and what you should be doing to permanently address the problem.

wish it weren't so - we battled a biceps contracture forever it seems and maia just had a biceps tendon lengthening surgery done and she is just so excited about finally having a straight arm... we will begin e-stim triceps strengthening as soon as the unit gets here..

-francine

[Me&Ashley]

Hi Francine, Ashley will be 5 in January. The issue is that her triceps are weaker AND misuse. We were just starting E-Stim when her visits ran out with out OT. I would love to get a unit for home but I don't even know where to begin or even if our insurance would cover it. Could you direct me in the right direction? We have an excellent PT/OT who got Ashley fitted for her Dynasplint & started Ashley for the first time on E-Stim. No other therapist that we were involved with would ever recommend it even when i inquired...there answer was always the same, either they weren't to familiar w/ it when it came to children or they didn't recommend use of it on children. Don't ask me why but I ended my search for a great ot/pt when we found Sara she is awesome & we plan to go right back to her after Ashley's Hand surgery (is that the caps one??) or rather when her cast comes off. Melissa

[Francine_Litz]

hi Melissa...

http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/estim.html
there's some hints on how to get the estim there... look in the TES section because there is more info there but what you will be doing is called NMES...

Get your bpi specialist to define what specific muscles groups should be e-stimmed...
Has Ashley been evaluated lately? Can you contact them directly - do you need to send in a video to reaquaint them with her current situation?

You will need the following from them...

- prescription for the unit with a diagnosis
- prescription for the therapy to do the e-stim
- letter of medical necessity

in terms of finding a PT that will follow Ashley with the e-stim I have some ideas...

- find a childrens hospital or therapy group that has a high population of children with CP
- contact Easter Seals
- contact the association http://www.apta.org/
- contact Wing at http://www.tascnetwork.net
- contact Leslie Mckibben at lmpt@worldnet.att.net
- contact a physiatrist - and they might be able to give you some direction as well.

ALSO - post the city where you are from and maybe someone from your town or closeby is reading and can offer you some help.

good luck! you have your work cut out for you eh?
btw - my Maia is 5 years old too... we're about to start NMES also... Ashley and Maia could be e-stim buddies!

-francine