P.T. Eval Number Two

After forever of noticing that something was not quite right with Evan's legs, and the fact that he still sometimes trips over his foot when running, I finally had someone agree with me. Always trust a Mother's intuition. Hello who spends the most time with him? I brought up my concerns to his Pulmonologist (who is WON-der-ful) and he didn't waste any time with a referral.

Within one week we had a physical therapy evaluation. Evan received weekly p.t. for three months prior to turning three (a year ago), at which time he graduated and I was told he was age appropriate and his legs, feet, and trunk were all coming along nicely. Prior to that we had about a year and a half of occupational therapy for strengthening and sensory integration. He was however given a prescription for an orthopedic insole (from his last physical therapist) to help with his inverted toes. I took this letter to his pediatrician who told me that Evan would grow out of it and not to worry.

So one year later we had another evaluation, this time seemingly from more of a medical standpoint (which I liked). The therapist was obviously experienced and knew her stuff (which I also liked). She was spouting off numbers of the degrees to which this leg and that ankle and this hip could rotate, as well as giving me way too much info for my little brain to handle. She was great, but was very rushed (which I did not like). I do realize that this is what she does all day long everyday, but this is my child you are so casually diagnosing with all sorts of problems.

I was told that he has mild scoliosis, needs an insert for his right shoe (to hopefully straighten out his inverted foot and toes, needs an x ray of his knee (patella) because of the odd way it sticks out and feels, trunk hypotonia, Genu Valgum (knock knee deformity), and his right hip is turned in causing everything on the right to turn inward. So of course I have begun to read about all of these things, and it is starting to FREAK me out. The shape of his legs and knees are definitely looking worse as he is growing (on his right mostly). I wonder if this is from being premature or if it like his large head which was likely hereditary but we are overly cautious because he was a preemie? Evan has already been through so much, I just pray this is in fact something that will not be problematic or need surgery in the future.

I am off to buy an exercise ball this weekend so that we can do our homework before our next appointment.