Ankylosing Spondylitis: Ankylosing spondylitis involves inflammation surrounding one or more of the vertebrae. It is a

chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints between the vertebrae, eventually causing them to fuse or grow

together.

 

Patients exhibit a “stooped” posture and have a very rigid spinal column. Surgery, if indicated, can be very dangerous,

due to the rigidity of the spine and the repositioning. There can be significant nerve damage.

 

Cerebral Palsy (CP): Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of disorders that affect movement control. It

can be caused by injury to the brain before, during, or after birth. Cerebral palsy may be acquired after birth secondary

to an accident, head injury, or infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis. Symptoms vary with each

case.

 

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD): DJD is also referred to as osteoarthritis (OA). It may affect over 80% of people over

the age of 60. Arthritis is a general term used for many conditions that result from the degenerative changes of the

joint and its structures. DJD describes a slow and progressive loss of the cartilage structures that function as a shock

absorber between two bones.

 

Cartilage helps to provide a barrier and helps keep the joints flexible. Once the cartilage is thinned or lost, the

constant grinding of bones against each other causes pain and stiffness around the joint. Abnormal and excess

bone formations called spurs grow from the damaged bone, causing further pain and stiffness.

 

Diabetes: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body does not produce or properly utilize the insulin hormone.

Our bodies digest food for growth and energy in the form of glucose (sugar in the blood). Glucose is the main source

of fuel for the body.

 

After digestion, the glucose passes into the bloodstream where it is used by the cells for growth and energy;

transportation is accomplished by insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas. The amount of insulin produced by

our body is regulated by what we eat.

 

Patients that suffer from diabetes produce too little insulin and therefore cannot process the glucose properly.

When this occurs, glucose overflows into urine and is passed out of the body. This translates into a decrease of fuel

for the body.

 

This disease is categorized as Type I or Type II and has a significant effect on other systems and can lead to

cerebrovascular and coronary artery complications, peripheral vascular impairment; visual impairment; and

peripheral and autonomic nervous system impairments.

 

To prevent ulcerations, skin breakdown, and abrasions, patients are observed carefully for signs and symptoms of

diabetic neuropathy, such as numbness or pain in the hands and feet, decreased vibratory sense, foot drop, and

neurogenic bladder.

 

 

Multiple Sclerosis: MS is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). It presents with the

destruction of myelin (outer sheath of the nerve cells) and nerve axons within several regions of the brain and spinal

cord at different times.

 

 

This destruction results in temporary, repetitive, or sustained disruptions in nerve impulse conduction causing

symptoms such as muscular weakness, numbness, visual disturbances, or loss of control of bowel, bladder, and

sexual functions. MS is a relatively common disorder: 250,000 + Americans are affected multiple sclerosis. Women

are twice as likely to be diagnosed as men.

 

Muscular Dystrophy Syndrome: Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a genetic syndrome that causes muscle weakness and

wasting. MD is a progressive disorder that affects the lower extremities and gradually moves more proximal. As it

moves proximal, it may affect cardiac and respiratory systems. This condition is found more in males than in females.

 

Myelomeningocele and Spina Bifida: Myelomeningocele and spina bifida patients present with a portion of the spinal

cord and membranes protruding from their backs. These patients experience paralysis at the level of spinal cord

destruction. Depending on the level of disruption, patients can require limited orthotic intervention. It can even be as

involved as reciprocating gait orthoses and wheelchairs.

 

Neurofibromatosis: Neurofibromatosis is a disorder characterized by the formation of neurofibromas or tumors that

involve nerve tissue in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, cranial nerves, and spinal nerve roots. It presents with visible skin

tumors, café au lait spots, and pain surrounding the nerves involved.

 

Peroneal Palsy: This is a condition caused by an injury or damage to the peroneal nerve. Patients often present with

drop foot, weakened dorsi flexors, and evertors (those muscles innervated by the peroneal nerve).

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints and

surrounding tissues. This is often associated with severe joint swelling, pain, and fatigue.

 

Spastic Hemiplegia: Spastic Hemiplegia involves increased muscular tone occurring in half of the body. It results from

an upper motor neuron lesion, such as a stroke, central nervous system trauma, or tumor.