142 chapter 16
When the child can do the exercise at 2 kilos without bending her knee, she can
begin doing the following variation. Keep the leg raised the whole time.
1. Tighten the
muscle on top
of the thigh.
2. Lift the leg,
keeping it
straight.
3. Move the leg to
the side and
turn it outward.
4. Move the leg
back in and
turn it inward.
5. Lower the
leg and
relax.
IMPORTANT: If there is also arthritis in the hip, or hip
contractures, do these exercises lying down, not sitting up.
Third exercise: knee slightly bent
1. Lie down with a rolled towel 2. Turn the leg out
or blanket under the knee.
to the side.
3. Lift the foot and slowly
count to 5 or 10.
4. Lower it
slowly.
5. Rest.
6. Repeat the
exercise 10
to 30 times.
Make sure that only the foot is raised, not the thigh, and that the knee is lifted as
straight as possible.
As the child gains strength, continue with the same series of steps as for the second
exercise.
1. Lying down, lift
the foot with
a weight on it.
Build weight up
slowly to 5 kilos.
2. Sitting up, lift the
foot without a
weight.
3. Sitting up, lift
the foot with a
weight. (Build
up to 5 kilos.)
Do these 2 exercises only if there
is no danger of hip contractures.
strips or
inner tube
(or use
sandbag)
If arthritis or contractures
have begun in her hip, it is
best to do the exercise lying
down with the hip as straight
as possible (nothing under
the knee).
To strengthen the muscles, continue the exercise until the child can no longer hold
the leg straight or it begins to shake slightly. The more often the child does these
exercises the faster the muscles will get stronger. These exercises can be done even
when the joint is swollen and painful. However, if the joint hurts more during or after
the exercise, use less weight and repeat fewer times.
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