We see children who are not meeting their age expected milestones due to a condition they were born with or as a result of an illness, accident or injury. When children suffer from illness or injury that affects their functional abilities, rehabilitation can help improve outcomes and quality of life.

Arthrogryposis

Arthrogryposis refers to a number of different conditions that are marked by joint stiffness usually because of abnormal muscle development. Present at birth, the conditions can affect the motion and independent use of your child’s arm, wrist, leg and hip joints. Some children with arthrogryposis will have difficulty with walking and hand and arm function.

All children with arthrogryposis will need stretching, therapy, casting and splinting. Some children with arthrogryposis may require surgery, but many do well without. At The pediatric rehabilitation team at Children’s Wisconsin offer coordinated care between therapists, surgeons and the child’s school.

Ataxia

Ataxia is a movement disorder found in a number of conditions. Ataxia makes it hard for your child to balance and control and coordinate movement. It usually presents itself in early childhood, when you may notice your child has difficulty walking or slurred speech.

Our team can improve your child’s independence and overall function. Children often receive physical, occupational and speech therapies. Our rehabilitation physicians often recommend mobility equipment and weighted garments.

Brachial plexus palsy

The brachial plexus is the maze of nerves that provide movement and sensation to your child’s arms and hands. In children brachial plexus palsy usually seen at birth and usually associated with difficult delivery or high birth weight. The vast majority of patients with brachial plexus birth palsy get better on their own.

Rehabilitation medicine sees children with brachial plexus palsy with occupational therapy. We can recommend special exercises and on going occupational therapy. For some children we recommend splinting and some children will be referred for a surgical evaluation. Research has shown that when surgery is needed and done in the first year of life, kids have successful arm function.

Brain injuries

Brain injuries may be caused by trauma, infection or a lack of oxygen to the brain. Your child’s symptoms could be mild to severe.

When a brain injury happens, your child may need help learning everyday skills.
Our team works with you and your child to set goals. We’ll design a treatment plan that may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, mental and behavioral health and neuropsychology.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a lifelong condition that affects your child’s brain and its communication with muscles. This is the most common causes of motor disabilities in children. The team of experts at Children’s Wisconsin is skilled at maximizing your child’s abilities and fostering his or her self-esteem and independence.

Delayed walking

The Children’s Wisconsin Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation team is skilled and experienced in diagnosing the causes of delayed walking. Your child’s treatment plan depends, of course, on the underlying reason for the walking delay. We may partner with Children’s Wisconsin orthopedists or neurologists to determine the best course of action. This may include physical therapy, braces, and in rare cases, surgery.

Developmental delays

The Children’s Wisconsin Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation team sees children with suspected developmental delay. Our team helps to determine if there is an underlying condition and involves other specialists to assist when needed. Each child is given a unique treatment plan that may include speech, physical and occupational therapy as well as bracing and equipment.

Drooling

Children’s Wisconsin see a wide variety of children conditions that cause drooling. We sometimes start medication or speech therapy for drooling in the rehabilitation clinic. Other times we recommend a more detailed evaluation be performed at the salivary management clinic.

Dystonia

Dystonia is repetitive twisting motions and postures. Children with dystonia often have speech difficulties or trouble swallowing, walking or using their arms. At Children’s Wisconsin, dystonia is treated by our rehabilitation doctors. As dystonia affects each child differently, our team designs a treatment plan specifically for your child. The plan may include medication, physical therapy and surgery.

Foot drop

Foot drop is when your child has difficulty lifting the front part of their foot. It is usually a sign of an underlying brain, nerve or muscle problem. For many children, a brace or splint is needed. We may also recommend physical therapy and stretching to help strengthen muscles.

Guillain-Barré syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a disorder that affects your child’s nerves. It can cause tingling sensations as well as weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, eating, breathing and emptying the bowel and bladder.

Treatment for Guillain-Barré syndrome at Children’s Wisconsin is a coordinated effort with neurology and rehabilitation and sometimes critical care. The rehabilitation team works closely with other specialists during treatment, and we help to coordinate physical, occupational and speech therapy treatments.

Hypotonia

Hypotonia is a decrease in your child’s muscle tone. Your child may have delayed motor skill development, decreased strength, poor posture, drooling, swallowing difficulties and speech impairments.

Children’s Wisconsin rehabilitation doctors will evaluate your child’s tone and if needed will work closely with neurology and genetics to determine the cause. Your child’s treatment plan may include physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as bracing and equipment.

Myopathy

Myopathies are diseases that causes muscle weakness. As myopathies vary widely, so do treatments. Most children with myopathy need physical, occupational and speech therapy. We also help to coordinate care and evaluate the need for visits to other specialist such as cardiologists, pulmonologists and sleep specialists.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy refers to a number of conditions affecting your child’s nerves. These can result in pain, weakness and disability. Neuropathies can have any number of causes, including trauma, infection, lifesaving medication and underlying conditions.

Treatment of neuropathies varies widely. Typically, at Children’s Wisconsin, we use therapy, bracing, equipment and sometimes medication. Our goal is to improve the quality of life and independence for your child.

Spasticity

Spastic muscles are stiff, tight and difficult to control. Spasticity can interfere with your child’s ability to walk, move, eat and/or talk.

Children with spasticity respond well to speech, occupational and physical therapy. Our therapists help stretch and strengthen the muscles. We can also recommend equipment and adaptations and medications to make day to day things easier.

Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida is when an infant's spinal column doesn't develop properly before they are born. These kids experience leg weakness, incontinence and brain abnormalities. Our rehabilitation medicine team works closely with our neurosurgeons, urologists, neuropsychologists and orthopedic specialists to develop the right treatment plan for your child. The Children's Wisconsin rehabilitation team is committed to optimizing your child's independence and quality of life.

Spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injuries involve bruises or tears to the spinal cord. These can be caused in numerous ways, including injuries from birth, car accidents, violence and tumors. Spinal cord injury can impair your child's ability to walk, use their arms, eat, breath, and empty their bowel and bladder.

Treatment for a spinal cord injury depends on the type and severity of your child's injury. Most children will require intensive physical and occupational therapy during the course of their recovery. Our team partners with Children's Wisconsin neurosurgeons, oncologists, orthopedists, urologists and therapists to ensure your child gets the care they need.

Strokes

Strokes cause damage to the nervous system, which may affect your child’s ability to think, speak, feed and move. Children who have had a stroke may need to relearn everyday skills or reaching development milestones. At Children’s Wisconsin, we develop a treatment for your child. The plan may include physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and neuropsychology.

Toe-walking

For many kids, walking on their tip-toes is a normal part of learning to walk. Most outgrow but sometimes this is a sign of a more serious condition.

Our rehabilitation doctors are specially trained to help determine the cause of your child’s toe-walking. They will also recommend appropriate treatment which may include physical and occupational therapy, use of leg braces, splints, a series of casts and sometimes botulinum toxin injections.

Transverse myelitis

Transverse myelitis is caused by inflammation of the spinal cord. This can lead to weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, eating, breathing and emptying the bowel and bladder.

Treatment for transverse myelitis is a coordinated effort between Children’s Wisconsin neurology and rehabilitation. The neurology team treats the underlying condition and rehabilitation focuses on strengthening and regaining skills lost. We work closely with the physical, occupational and speech therapists to customize your child’s treatment plan and assist in the transition from the hospital to home and school.