Six-Year-Old Walks for First Time after Foot Therapy
- posted: Feb. 25, 2015
After surgery and physical therapy at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, six-year-old Hadi Abukhadra can now walk for the first time. Hadi was walking within two weeks of cast removal thanks to foot therapy with Lucile Packard physical therapy clinical specialist Richard Gee. The six-year-old had to endure a lot of pain, casts, and surgeries to finally arrive at his current stage in recovery.
Hadi was born with arthrogryposis, which causes “stuck joints” and other orthopedic deformities. His knees bent the wrong way and his feet were originally facing upside down. “To understand what Hadi’s feet looked like before, and what he does now, is almost night and day,” Gee said. “He basically had to relearn how to stand and how to balance. Even just the standing process of getting his body over his feet is a new process for him.”
Foot therapy is necessary for those recovering from both foot deformities and foot injuries. If you have concerns regarding therapy, speak to podiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Conforti of New Jersey. Dr. Conforti can answer any of your podiatric questions.
Most common injuries
People who are constantly on their feet are prone to a variety of injuries. Therefore, it is important to take part in physical therapy in order to get back on the right track quickly.
What to do when injured
Physical Therapy – This specialized treatment will focus on the affected area, speeding up recovery and the overall healing process. This is important for those wanting to get back into the game quickly. It is a proven method that has helped millions of people return from any injury.
During physical therapy you will undergo regimented training to get back into full form. Training is often very difficult, especially at first when the foot feels weak. These are some steps physical therapy often involves:
- Basic stretching & twisting exercises – getting the feet’s mobility and flexibility up.
- Massaging – the therapist will massage the injured area in order to activate the muscles and relax them.
- Strengthening Exercises – this allows the muscles in the affected area to regain their full strength, a vital step towards full recovery.
If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices located in Paramus and Clifton, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
