Health Law

TheraSuit Helps Child with Cerebral Palsy Move

A revolutionary device has recently been credited for helping those who have received a cerebral palsy diagnosis be better able to walk and move. Matthew Eckley reportedly walked on a treadmill recently. He also successfully did 45 sit-ups and even touched his toes to loosen up his hamstrings. To the average 2 year old boy this is an impressive workout, let alone a child living with cerebral palsy. But Eckley, was was the victim of medical malpractice and has been living with cerebral palsy since birth, can do just that, and possibly more. All thanks to space-age technology. 
 
TheraSuit Proves to Be a  Success

So how can Matthew move with the normal strength and energy of a child who is not disabled? He is currently undergoing an intensive therapy program with the help of the TheraSuit, The TheraSuit is an FDA-approved orthotic device that has specifically designed to line up a patent's body properly while enabling them to increase their strength and coordination in the meantime.
This state-of-the-art suit has been modeled after Russian cosmonaut uniforms and it is worn to counteract the effects of weightlessness, which often prohibits those with cerebral palsy and other disabilities from moving properly. This is often caused by muscle atrophy and bone density loss.According to reports, Matthew partakes in the program for three hours each day every week. The program is offered at Lampert's Pediatric Clinic in Largo.

"Our goal is to have him walk," his mother Colleen says with hope. "It may not be a pretty walk, but he should be able to one day."
 
Although without the suit Matthew can only crawl on his elbows, dragging his body therapists and his family believe he is only getting stronger with each passing day, and with success stories of the past backing their hopes, its very possible that these "hopes" can turn to reality in the near future.

"In our minds, he's perfect," says Colleen. "God doesn't make mistakes. God gave him to us for a reason and that's because he knew we could take care of him."

What is the TheraSuit?

The TheraSuit Matthew is receiving therapy in consists of vests and shorts, knee pads and shoe attachments. Therapists also use elastic bands and sand bags to help correct posture in conjunction with the suit. This technique also reportedly helps support and stretch the child's muscles.

Each session begins with hot packs to warm the muscles and a massage. Then comes the strength training exercises. With support and guidance from his therapist Matthew is able to get on the treadmill in his suit and walk with a normal gait and balance. Though the sit ups aren't his favorite, Matthew is reportedly all smiles when he's enabled to do the "spider." This allows him to spring up and down on his own with the help of bungee cords, which are attached to the side of his suits.

In Matthew's case, the goal of this type of therapy is to stretch his hamstrings and abductors, while also strengthening the abductors in his legs and building his core muscles. However, the benefits vary depending on the special needs of each patient. 

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on September 29, 2009 (boomark / email).