Services for children

At Leeds Orthotics all of our orthotists are specially trained to work with children and young adults and have experience in delivering all of our services to children, including paediatric assessment and gait analysis, and plagiocephaly and brachycephaly treatment.

Our friendly and understanding clinicians are able to tailor their approach to ensure that every individual feels comfortable and at ease through all of the services we offer. Our orthotists are renowned for their patience and adaptability when working with children and we take pride in our problem-solving ability in this area.

Leeds Orthotics has experience of working with children and young adults with special educational needs (SEN) and can even arrange to visit children at home or at school if necessary. Alternatively, we can arrange an appointment for you to visit our clinic.

Orthotics for children

Leeds Orthotics provide access to an extensive range of orthotic devices, including a large number of devices suited to the specific needs of children. Effective orthotic intervention provided to children can prevent further complications in adolescent or adult life and can be key to reducing the progression of some conditions.

Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs)

Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) can be used to provide support at the ankle joint and help to support weakened or non functional musculature in the lower limbs. Silicone ankle foot orthoses (SAFOs) can form part of an effective treatment for children, using a much softer material that is more forgiving. Orthotic insoles can be fitted into a child’s shoes to help correct posture, alleviate pain and promote positive development.

Functional electrical stimulation (FES)

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) devices can be worn around a muscle to allow it to function even if there is a neuropathic condition causing the muscle to usually be weak or unresponsive. FES is sometimes used to treat foot drop and can be utilised during walking, stimulating the muscles to lift the foot at precise moments during walking.

Lycra suits

Lycra suits can be worn to help with positioning a child’s body and encourage good posture. They can improve symmetry and assist in stabilisation of the spine and other regions of the body. Lycra orthoses can be produced to provide a similar effect on a more targeted region of the body, providing support to areas of the body affected by conditions such as high and low muscle tone.

Flat head syndrome

Plagiocephaly helmets can be used to direct growth of the skull in young children, providing treatment for flat head syndrome. Helmets are available in a variety of styles.

Common conditions treated using children’s orthotics:

Conditions in children we commonly provide orthotics for include:

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy can cause muscle weakness or stiffness and difficulties with balance and coordination. An orthotic device such as an AFO or upper limb brace such as a lycra orthosis can grant independence by providing strength and assisting mobility.

Clubfoot (talipes)

Clubfoot is a condition that can usually be rectified by using early intervention. The condition is treated using a special type of AFO designed to hold the feet and ankles in a corrected position, often following a course of massaging and stretching the feet and joints affected.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a progressive condition where the spine becomes increasingly curved. Spinal braces offer a way of controlling the curvature of the spine and provide support to assist correction. Braces can be made from a range of materials to achieve the desired correction or level of support.

Osgood Schlatters and Severs

Osgood Schlatters and Severs are relatively common diseases associated with growth in children and can result in pain at the front of the knee and at the back of the heel. This pain can sometimes be relieved by using a functional foot orthosis to provide targeted support along the base of the foot. The condition will usually disappear when a child’s development reaches a certain point.

Toe Walking

Toe walking is often idiopathic (no clear cause) and is common in children learning to walk below the age of 2 years. Some children continue to walk in this manner, and can benefit from wearing an AFO or specialist footwear.

Flat Feet

Flat feet are common in children, and often this is something that is resolved as they develop naturally. However, the condition can cause a lot of pain which can be relieved effectively by wearing orthotic insoles inside of their shoes to provide support to the arch in the foot.

Problematic Posture

Problematic posture can become apparent as a child develops, and may lead to additional stresses being placed on some muscles and joints located throughout the body. A range of orthotics can be used to encourage good posture and give support to key structures within the body to reduce the likelihood of difficulties developing in the future. Spinal braces, neck orthoses and shoulder orthoses, knee braces are all appropriate for use by children.

Perthes Disease

Perthes disease is a condition where the blood supply to the top of a child’s thigh bone (femur) loses blood supply for a period of time. This can often leave children with deformations in the lower limb that require treatment, such as a leg length discrepancy. Leeds Orthotics can provide interventions to support children who have suffered from Perthes disease.

To arrange an appointment call Leeds Orthotics now on 0330 088 3949, or email us at office@leedsorthotics.co.uk