United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am posting this here because I posted on the Obstetrical board yesterday in error.

My daughter, 3 1/2, falls a lot. I believe it is because she walks on her toes and only puts her heels down when I remind her. Her therapist thinks that she is also flat footed. She tends to run more than walk. I am convinced that the injury contributes to this falling problem. I have been told that because her center of gravity is off, she is less comfortable walking than running because when she is walking she has to balance herself. Any other BPI children out there falling a lot? I would appreciate any thoughts on this subject. Thank you.
Michele from NJ

Michele,
Yes, My son Grant too walks on his tip toes and falls frequently. Our local rehab doctor even had Grant undergo an MRI of the brain because he thought the tip-toe walking ( a sign of tight muscle tone)may be attributed to a brain hemerage during the birth process. Luckily, the MRI came back normal. It's hard to say if this is just a normal anomaly or somehow related to OBPI.

My daughter is 21months and her PT is amazed that she doesnt fall more often than she does because her balance is so bad. Maia tends to rely on gravity and luck to get around because she stumbles over everything and usually gets away with it. Her Pt suspects that Maia has a problem with spacial awareness on her affected side. Because she has a tendency to put all her weight on the left hand side of her body. I have seen her walking on tip toes but she doesnt do this all the time and now and again she even looks like shes limping. She also has low muscle tone that doesnt help. I have read a few other posts about bpi children falling. So I dont think it is unusual.

If your therapist is familiar w/ kinesiotaping, there is a technique for toewalking. Are you ranging her ankles (heel cord stretches)- is she tight or does she have good range? Also you can have her stand on a wedge/slantboard (heels lower than toes) for a prolonged stretch while she is doing something (table activity , painting at easel, etc. - whatever would motivate her to stay a long time). You can make a slantboard out of wood or maybe a wide notebook binder would work - put nonskid stuff on it (goes under rugs to prevent slipping).

Michele from NJ & all parents

It is never a mistake to post on the adult/obpi board.

When you post questions there you not only help your self with information but sometimes ask questions that begins a dialogue to help us understand our injury.

Most of us when without explanations about our injury. When we compare notes with parents and each other we find many common issues. We are truly learning about our injuries by your questions. Each of us thought we were the only ones with this rare injury. We seem to be on a Discovery Quest...

So please continue to ask and to read the adult/obpi board.

I come here and read all the time. I read all of the boards when I have the chance... We all learn from each other...

thanks for posting there... I answered there on my thoughts on why we loose our balance and bump things...

Kath

It is my understanding the BPI can cause balance issues--I have also been told that it can sometimes affect the way their ear is formed (inside) on the BPI side which explains some of the hearing problems and balance issues. Also, Columbus Children's told us that Katie lost her "sense" of her body--she disconnected and concentrated on her lower body, which caused a great deal of problems. She has the legs of a mule but both arms are weak in comparison. She still falls on a daily basis and still splats like a bug on a windshield--she never has really gotten the instinct to catch herself or if she does the arms aren't quick enough or strong enough to stop the fall. Lots of facial injuries.

Gabrielle falls all the time. She just started walking last month. She is 23 months old and a very big girl. I was told at TCH last month to keep her brace on her because BPI children fall a lot. I don't want her to injure her BPI arm with a fall.