15/03/2026
✅ Pediatric Physiotherapy Case Study
Patient Profile
A young child, 18 months old, was referred to physiotherapy due to concerns about delayed motor development. The child was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy following a comprehensive neurological assessment.
Background and History👇
The child was born prematurely at 30 weeks of gestation with a low birth weight of 1.4 kg. According to the parents, the child has consistently shown delays in reaching key developmental milestones. While the child is able to sit independently, there is noticeable difficulty when attempting to stand or transition into standing.
Parents have also observed that the child’s legs often cross involuntarily during attempts to stand and the lower limbs appear stiff, especially during movement or weight-bearing activities.
Clinical Examination👇
During the physiotherapy assessment, several important findings were noted:
👉 Postural Observation
The child demonstrates excessive hip adduction, which results in a characteristic sc******ng pattern of the legs during supported standing.
👉 Muscle Tone
There is a clear increase in muscle tone in the lower limbs, which is consistent with the spastic presentation commonly seen in children with spastic diplegia.
👉 Range of Motion
Mild tightness was observed in the hip adductor muscles, with a reduced range of hip abduction.
👉 Functional Mobility
The child is able to sit independently but struggles with balance, trunk stability and weight shifting, all of which are necessary for standing and early walking.
Functional classification using the Gross Motor Function Classification System places the child at Level III, indicating that the child may achieve mobility with assistive devices but requires support for more advanced motor tasks.
Physiotherapy Assessment👇
The child’s motor difficulties appear to be influenced by several key factors:
• Increased spasticity in the hip adductor muscles
• Limited trunk stability and postural control
• Delayed development of protective and balance reactions
These factors collectively interfere with the child’s ability to develop efficient standing and walking patterns.
Rehabilitation Goals👇
Short-Term Goals
• Improve trunk stability and postural alignment
• Increase hip abduction range of motion
• Reduce the sc******ng pattern during standing
Long-Term Goals
• Promote independent standing
• Improve functional mobility and balance
• Support the development of a more efficient gait pattern
Physiotherapy Intervention Plan👇
Postural Facilitation and Movement Training
Interventions are guided by principles from Neurodevelopmental Treatment, focusing on facilitating more normal movement patterns while reducing abnormal muscle tone.
👉 Targeted Stretching
Gentle stretching exercises are implemented to address tightness in the hip adductors and hamstrings, helping to improve joint mobility and posture.
👉 Strengthening Exercises
Therapeutic activities are designed to strengthen key muscle groups, particularly the hip abductors, gluteal muscles, and trunk stabilizers, which are essential for maintaining balance and alignment.
👉 Functional Training
Therapy sessions incorporate functional activities such as supported standing, sit-to-stand practice, and balance training to encourage the development of practical movement skills.
Expected Outcomes👇
With consistent physiotherapy intervention and strong parental involvement, the child is expected to gradually improve postural control, reduce the sc******ng pattern and progress toward more functional mobility. Early rehabilitation plays a crucial role in maximizing the child’s potential for independence and participation in everyday activities.
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