Elita
Elita and her new Mygo Seating System
Elita is a young girl with Down’s Syndrome and Dystonic Cerebral Palsy. She has no verbal communication or use of signing. Elita’s use of play objects is limited, and playtime needs to be initiated by an adult.
Clinical Assessment
Upon assessment;
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Elita has a scoliosis convex on the left side.
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Her right femur is more extended than the left femur, internally rotated and abducted from the midline.
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Her thoracic cavity rests on her iliac crest on the right side.
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Her head tends to flex forwards and to the right side, and Elita has great difficulty bringing her head back to the upright position.
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Her dystonia presents as extensor spasms, alternating with generalized central hypotonia affecting her trunk and head.
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Elita has a strong startle response to unexpected noise.
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In the seated position her pelvis is rotated to the left, with a minimally correctable obliquity and anterior tilt.
Approach
Elita was provided with the Mygo Seating system including pelvic support system, foot sandals, chest support and the Otto Bock X-Style head support. The aim was to provide three-point support for the scoliosis of her spine and reduce the physical stress on her primary care-giver.
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The head support (right) is off-set to the right of the midline and slightly forward, thus accommodating Elita’s scoliosis and rotation.
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The lateral supports (right) provide 3-point support and pelvic alignment.
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The 4-point harness partially accommodates the rotation and anterior tilt of Elita’s pelvis, but substantially reduces any posterior tilt.
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The chest pad provides anterior trunk support.
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The leg guides have been adjusted in length to accommodate Elita’s leg length discrepancy.
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The back to seat angle and seat to footrest angle have both been adjusted to less than 90° to inhibit her extensor thrust spasms.
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The leg supports have been adjusted for lower leg length difference, and also in the degree of plantar and dorsi-flexion.
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Outcome
Elita’s therapist reports that Elita’s posture is now more symmetrical (right) and this provides the basis for more functional activity. Elita can now be fed more easily during mealtimes and this seating position has improved her respiratory functioning.
Elita can now tolerate the sitting position for longer periods and, as her head is more aligned to allow better vision, there is better interaction with her peers and family.
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