Rehabilitation in osteogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a heterogeneous genetic disorder, since in a large number of patients there is a mutation of one of the genes encoding collagen type 1, while others have different genetic defects. However, for the purposes of the rehabilitation these differences are not so relevant as the age for which treatments are meant. In the children it is quite important to stimulate the active movement of the limbs and the trunk, to help the control of the head and the load on the forearms, which will allow in the future the transfer to or from a wheelchair and to get up from sitting. When the child first attempts to walk, it must be kept well in mind the risk of fractures and therefore protect the lower limbs appropriately. Wheelchairs and tricycles are valid devices for moving independently of older children, but they must be equipped on the basis of precise criteria. Teens and adults require treatments designed to maintain muscle strength, to reduce the risk of fractures: this is done using specific physiokinesiterapic excercises and pharma treatment with diphosphonates.

Keywords: osteogenesis imperfecta, bone fractures, rehabilitation, physiokinesiterapic excercises, diphosphonates

Paolo Fraschini, Barbara Bonaiti, La riabilitazione nell’osteogenesi imperfetta in "CHILD DEVELOPMENT & DISABILITIES - SAGGI" 3/2010, pp 107-112, DOI: 10.3280/CDD2010-003018