53. Retrospective review of the hypermobility physiotherapy exercise program in children Attending TSCUH

Abstract

Introduction: It has been noticed that an increasing number of hypermobility patients attend physiotherapy clinic in Temple Street Children's University Hospital. At present, there is no set standard on how to treat this patient cohort, but there is a local consensus of a progressive resistive strengthening program for these children. This retrospective audit was carried to measure current physiotherapy strengthening approach and how this programme could improve patient's muscle strength and pain. Method(s): This audit was a retrospective chart review over a period of six months; a purposeful sample selection was carried out. Total 21 patients who had a diagnosis of hypermobility were included in this audit. Data collection was based on the muscle strength of Hip flexion/extension/abduction, knee flexion/extension, ankle plantar flexion, shoulder flexion/extension/abduction, elbow flexion/extension and wrist extension utilising the Oxford grading scale. Result(s): Twenty-one children who attended physiotherapy clinic for hypermobility exercise programme were selected for this audit. It has been evident from this audit there was improved hip flexion/extension/abduction, knee flexion/extension, ankle plantar flexion, shoulder flexion/extension/abduction, elbow flexion/extension and wrist extension using the OGS at the pre assessment and post 6 months of using the muscle strengthening exercise program. Recommendations: 1. To design a standardised assessment form that consistently collects data, at every visit, for muscle strength of both upper and lower limbs. 2. To obtain a validated tool to objectively capture data on patient pain, -fatigue and quality of life. 3. To use a muscle strengthen assessment tool (I.e. Kendall) that will objectively measure minimum changes is muscle strength and is validated.