| Abstrakt: |
Children hospitalized during sickle cell anemia crises suffer restricted range of motion secondary to vasoocclusive-induced pain and are almost always nonambulatory. Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, now refers most of these children to the Physical Therapy Department at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX, for Fluidotherapy and general strengthening and increased endurance programs. The Fluidotherapy treatment and the exercise program have resulted in a marked reduction in the length of hospitalization (compared with length of hospitalization by the same patients during previous episodes) and have permitted a major reduction in the dosage of analgesics previously administered. Spine, trunk, and extremity range of motion and gait improved markedly with treatment. |
