Sprouting Up Therapy

01/20/2026

New Blog Post Coming Soon!

01/19/2026

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common secondary complications for children with other medical diagnoses. It is caused by growth abnormalities of the hip joint causing hip instability or capsular laxity which results in subluxation or dislocation of the femoral head.

Risk factors include family history, breech presentation at time of delivery, congenital talipes calcaneo-valgus. Other contributing factors include torticollis and oligohydramnios, and poor hip positioning in infant carriers or W sitting. It is also more prevalent in females as compared to males.

It is usually suspected with a few physical therapy tests and confirmed by ultrasound up to 6 months of age and radiograph (x-ray) after 6 months old. If hip dysplasia goes undiagnosed or untreated, a child can develop early onset moderate to severe osteoarthritis, delayed bone ossification, back pain, knee pain, leg length discrepancy, and gait abnormalities.

Bracing is the gold standard for treatment for patients under six months of age and when identified early. Depending on the severity of instability in the hip joint and onset, surgical intervention is often necessary to position the hip joint properly, followed by three-six months in a spica cast.

Early physiotherapy leads to a reduction in the rehabilitation duration, providing important results in terms of the acetabular angles, and an improvement in the general functionality as well. A physical therapist can help educate parents/caregivers on proer position/carriers to promote healthy hip development.

Have questions, contact me today 936.213.0723.

01/18/2026

01/17/2026

Here is a screening tool utilized by therapist to assess toe walking and attempt in finding the cause.

If you answered these questions the same as the answers on the right hand side, please have your child evaluated.

01/16/2026

Long-term effects of Toe Walking

An equinus gait (toe walking) is energy-costly, as it causes the ankle and knee joints to lock out, thereby preventing the transfer of energy in the form of momentum through the legs. The forward movement of the body that is normally achieved by a heel-toe gait is absent. Additionally, toe walking causes compensatory strategies throughout the rest of the body that can lead to long term imbalances and eventually pain and dysfunction. These postural compensations will impact lower extremity muscle length, posture, core stability, and vision. The postural implications can also play a role in scapular and shoulder function, thus setting the child up for a life time of dysfunction.

01/16/2026

Treatment for Tip Toe Walking

Depending on the cause of the toe walking, treatment may vary considerably.

Monitoring for idiopathic toe walking to see if the child “outgrows” the condition.

Passive stretching and calf massage.

Desensitisation with increased sensory feedback to the heels of the feet.

Heel raises in the shoe that progressively reduce with a stretching regime and increased sensory feedback.

Carbon fibre plates inside the shoe to prevent toe walking in severe habitual cases.

Night splints, SMO or AFO braces or serial casting may be necessary, if there is a reduction in calf range of motion.

Botox is used in severe cases to paralyse the calf muscles to prevent resistance to stretching, most often used with serial casting.

Surgical lengthening of the Achille tendon may be necessary if conservative treatment fails. This is normally day surgery and done in conjunction with serial casting for 6 weeks and bracing.

Referral to a specialist for serious neuro-muscular disorders causing toe walking.

01/14/2026

Is your child toe walking?

Causes of toe walking can include:
• Orthopedic-Congenitally short or contracted Achilles Tendon, ankle fusion
• Sensory-tactile hypersensitivity bottom of feet, proprioceptive often seen in children with Autism
• Reflex Unintegration- TLR
• Neurological- i.e. cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, tethered cord that could cause muscle spasticity or paralytic muscle disease
• Balance/Core Stability and Control
• Habitual/Conditioning
• Visual Deficits
• Idiopathic Toe Walking

01/13/2026

It's National Sticker Day!

Stickers are a great motivation and reward to get kids to do activities.

01/12/2026

Infant Gross Motor Milestone Chart

Line drawings and normative age bands show an age-related progression of motor skills. Age increases from left to right, and skills improve from bottom to top. The length of the horizontal bars represents the 5th to 95th percentiles; ticks denote the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles. Normative data for lifting the head while prone, propping the chest up while prone, rolling, and pulling to stand are from the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Data for sitting without support, crawling on hands and knees, cruising upright along furniture, standing while holding furniture, standing independently, and walking independently are from the WHO standards.

K. Adolph and Justine E. Hoch.

01/06/2026

January Health Awareness

January 1-31: Cervical Health Awareness Month
January 1-31: Glaucoma Awareness Month
January 1-31: International Quality of Life Month
January 1-31: National Birth Defects Awareness/Prevention Month
January 1-31: National Blood Donor Month
January 1-31: National Radon Action Month
January 1-31: National Winter Sports Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month
January 1-31: Stalking Awareness Month
January 1-31: Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month
January 1-31: Thyroid Awareness Month
January 4: World Braille Day
January 11: Paget’s Awareness Day
January 12: National Pharmacist Day
January 12-24: National CRNA Week
January 21: National IV Nurse Day
January 23: Maternal Health Awareness Day
January 25: World Leprosy Day
January 30: World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day