Children with any myelodysplasia diagnosis such as myelomeningocele, lipomeningocele, tethered cord, disastematomyelia, and even children with spinal cord injuries can be seen in Duke’s multidisciplinary myelodysplasia clinic which offers coordinated care from the medical, surgical, and allied health specialists covering the clinic. 

In addition to the clinic, physical therapy and occupational therapy staff provide evaluation and treatment in our inpatient and outpatient programs to address joint deformity and muscle tightness, motor development, balance and equilibrium, weakness, mobility, and daily living function. 

Our pediatric physical and occupational therapists are very experienced with splinting, bracing, and selecting adaptive equipment -- in addition to their expertise with strategies to maximize the child’s strength and postural control, reduce the risk of musculoskeletal problems, and improve coordination of movement to optimize the child’s functional skills. 

We work closely with the family and collaborate with the child’s medical team and community caregivers to develop a plan of care designed to enable the child to participate in activities at home, school, and in the community. 

Physical Therapy Treatment

• Therapeutic exercise
• Balance training
• Facilitation of movement
• Gross motor skills
• Functional mobility
• Gait training
• Adaptive equipment, positioning, and orthoses

Occupational Therapy Treatment

• Fine motor skills training
• Visual-motor skills training
• Sensory integration