Case Study - School Student - haemoplegia, low muscle tone

Symptoms

A birth injury (intracranial bleed) has produced left hemiplegia with low muscle tone and some spacticity in D.T.'s left side.

D.T. finds some difficulty in maintaining her posture as the spasticity in her left side tends to make her asymmetrical. She also has a problem with her balance. The classroom chair she is provided at school causes her pelvis to be tilted backwards; her spine is, therefore, deformed into a 'C' shape, the lumbar curve is flattened, the thoracic and cervical curves stressed as they are now out of their normal curvature. Her shoulder girdle is weak, so in this position her ability to sit in a correct position means that she has to use her limited muscular resources to correct the distortion caused by the classroom seat. This is extremely difficult for a small girl like D.T. As she tires, she droops forward and to the left side, her right shoulder hitches up, and she has to prop herself on her desk. If she stays in this position, eventually she may develop a scoliosis. D.T. fatigues 20 minutes after the start of the class.

Introduction to the Saddle Seat

D.T.'s physiotherapist and occupational therapist recommended the Bambach Saddle Seat. She is using a reduced abduction seat with back, an 80mm drop through gas lift, with standard castors. The therapist was on hand to position D.T. correctly at her desk and to advise on any modifications.

Result

The Bambach Saddle Seat allows the pelvis to adopt a stable, neutral position which enables the spinal curves to assume and maintain their normal positions even when sitting.

D.T. is a quiet, gentle little girl, highly cooperative, and she is motivated to try hard at her work. Her work will be greatly facilitated if she doesn't have to use energy and concentration just to sit up in a functional position. On the Bambach Saddle Seat, D.T. assumes a comfortable, relaxed position with improved postural symmetry.

It was noted that when on the Bambach Saddle Seat D.T. was more likely to place her left arm and hand on the desk when sitting, which gives her more use of her right hand. Gaining and maintaining symmetry relaxes her shoulder girdle and puts her spine into its natural curves, which will reduce her risk of developing a scoliosis as well as improving her ability to perform her schoolwork better, with less fatigue.