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May is Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month
Physical Therapy for Kids with Neurofibromatosis
If your child has been diagnosed with a condition called neurofibromatosis (or NF for short), you may feel confused or concerned about helping your child overcome the symptoms and effects of this genetic disorder. While you can’t reverse or eliminate neurofibromatosis, you can provide your child with helpful treatment in the form of physical therapy.
Neurofibromatosis is an inherited neurological problem in which tumors form on nerves, affecting their ability to convey information to various parts of the body. There are three primary kinds of neurofibromatosis. The variants known as NF1 and NF2 generally appear in childhood. A third variant, Schwannomatosis doesn’t generally develop until the affected individuals are at least 20 years of age.
While the tumors associated with neurofibromatosis are usually benign, the symptoms that they cause can vary widely in severity. Children with NF1 may develop changes in their appearance, such as:
- Bowed legs
- Freckling under the arms or in the groin
- A head that seems disproportionately large compared to the body
- Optic nerve tumors
- Mild learning impairment
- Coordination
- Balance problems
- Bumpy skin
Children with NF2 may experience:
- Hearing loss
- Headaches
- Balance problems
- Vision impairment
- Weakness or numbness in the extremities
Physical therapy can help children with neurofibromatosis enjoy a higher quality of life. Corrective exercises can play a major role in helping your child cope with NF1 and/or NF2. (One form of NF can sometimes transmute into the other.)
Exercise can also reduce fatigue by increasing a child’s stamina. Your child may also benefit from orthotics (corrective footwear) or assistive devices to make tasks of daily living easier and more comfortable.
Some children with NF1 also suffer from scoliosis, an abnormal lateral curvature of the spinal column that can cause everything from an unbalanced gait to chronic pain. Your physical therapist can also address this issue by prescribing exercises to help slow the progression of the curvature.
Neurofibromatosis can throw some intimidating obstacles in your child’s way, but physical therapy can help your child overcome those obstacles.
To access the full article on neurofibromatosis and physical therapy, click here.
