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11
In 1955 she was sent to a residential school, but because of the
marked deterioration in her behaviour she was discharged home after
five years. At the age of eleven she came to the physiotherapy
clinic for treatment, because she had been admitted to the School
for Physically Handicapped. At this time it was noted that the
left hip was dislocated so at the end of 1960 she was admitted to
hospital for operations of hip and foot. She returned to the
clinic in May 1961 not being able to stand or walk but being confined
to a wheelchair. Fortunately the girl was co-operative and
within a few weeks was standing and taking steps with help. To
help strengthen the weak leg she was supplied with a walking
caliper and soon she was walking quite well with the aid of sticks.
Subsequently she was able to discard the caliper altogether by the
end of 1962 and is now using only one stick for long distances.
P.O. A 2½ month premature baby and weighing only 3 lbs P. was born
with cerebral palsy affecting all limbs especially the legs. She
also had been in a residential school from 1953-1958. When she
first attended the clinic in 1958 she was walking very badly on
two sticks having gross flexion of both knees which were not
corrected by walking calipers and night splints. Early in 1959
she had a partial tenotomy of the hamstrings and within three
months was on intensive physiotherapy at the clinic, and her
progress was quite spectacular. Since mid 1960 she has dispensed
with the calipers and she can walk quite well without sticks
although again for long distances and in icy weather she resorts
to sticks. Instead of being conveyed to school by the school
transport she now comes on her own.
L.P. This nine year old girl contracted anterior poliomyelitis
in August 1959 which affected both legs, left arm and abdominal
muscles. Attending twice weekly for massage and re-education
since mid 1960 when she was wearing a walking caliper on the
right leg, she was able gradually to leave off the caliper and
has been without it completely since the end of 1961. She
continues to make satisfactory progress with only a slight
residual limp.
S.S. At the beginning of 1961, this girl at the age of twelve
started a course of remedial exercises because of quite a marked
kyphoscoliosis and pigeon chest. At first her progress was slow
and operative treatment was discussed,but the parents were
against this procedure, and pleaded that she might continue the
exercises. Throughout her attendance a series of x-rays were
taken which revealed that by the middle of 1962 her curvature
was much less severe and by the end of 1962, the orthopaedic
surgeon stated that her back was straight. Nevertheless she
will continue exercises to maintain her good posture.