Paediatric Care Services
Cranial
Remoulding
Cranial remolding helmets are
made of a hardouter shell
with a foam lining.
Does My Baby have a Flat Head?
Common Shape Deviations:
How does this happen?
The plasticity and open sutures of the new-born’s skull makes it susceptible to external pressures in the womb during the birth process and after birth.
Common causes include:
No, asymmetry can lead to:
WHAT IS A CRANIAL REMOULDING ORTHOSES?
The orthosis is essentially a helmet made from a plastic and foam custom moulded device designed to gently and safely correct the baby's head shape. The orthotic allows natural growth, steering this growth to improve symmetry, improve proportion and correct deformity.
Helmets can be used between 4-18months of age, with best results seen when treatment starts before the age of 9months. The remoulding process typically takes 12 weeks to complete, but the duration of treatment is dependent on the severity of the deformity, age of the baby and rate of growth.
Common Shape Deviations:
How does this happen?
The plasticity and open sutures of the new-born’s skull makes it susceptible to external pressures in the womb during the birth process and after birth.
Common causes include:
- Restricted space inside the mother’s womb
- Excessive time in carriers, car seats, strollers
- Tight clothing and covering that prevents spontaneous movement
- Insufficient “tummy-time”
- Torticollis
No, asymmetry can lead to:
- Mandibular asymmetry and a thickened mandible causing the teeth to be rotated and off centre.
- Increased risk of developing RA in the jaw
- TMJ
- Developmental delays linked to Plagiocephaly (please see attached reference articles)
- Orbital depth disproportion
- Facial asymmetry
WHAT IS A CRANIAL REMOULDING ORTHOSES?
The orthosis is essentially a helmet made from a plastic and foam custom moulded device designed to gently and safely correct the baby's head shape. The orthotic allows natural growth, steering this growth to improve symmetry, improve proportion and correct deformity.
Helmets can be used between 4-18months of age, with best results seen when treatment starts before the age of 9months. The remoulding process typically takes 12 weeks to complete, but the duration of treatment is dependent on the severity of the deformity, age of the baby and rate of growth.
Foot
Orthotics
We have specialities in the areas of both paediatric podiatry
and orthotics.
Orthotics and pediatric podiatry are two of our areas of expertise. Our ability to serve our small patients with the most innovative, combined strategy and treatment approaches is made possible by this dual approach. Children with flat feet supination, muscle imbalances, or postural difficulties who have trouble walking can benefit from foot orthotics.
Ankle Foot
Orthotic
An ankle foot orthosis (AFO)
is used to improve walking
patterns.
AFO’s
An Ankle Foot Orthotic or AFO’S are a plastic/carbon medical appliance used to control instabilities of the lower limb, specifically, the foot, ankle and knee and to maintain proper alignment to prevent to development of anomalies, to improve function or to prevent or treat muscle contractures.
AFO’s can be custom made to fit each individual or pre-manufactured.
Paediatric AFO’s are often used to treat the following presentations:
AFO’s can be an integral part of enabling a child to walk while undergoing treatment for various conditions.
An Ankle Foot Orthotic or AFO’S are a plastic/carbon medical appliance used to control instabilities of the lower limb, specifically, the foot, ankle and knee and to maintain proper alignment to prevent to development of anomalies, to improve function or to prevent or treat muscle contractures.
AFO’s can be custom made to fit each individual or pre-manufactured.
Paediatric AFO’s are often used to treat the following presentations:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Spina Bifida
- Foot drop caused by weakness/ neurological conditions
- Down’s Syndrome
- Hypermobility
- Toe Walking
- Club feet
- Paralysis
- Gait abnormalities
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Genetic/Inherited Conditions
- Charcot Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)
- Autism
AFO’s can be an integral part of enabling a child to walk while undergoing treatment for various conditions.
Mobility and Assistive Appliances
We are fortunate to have access to a wide range of domestic and foreign vendors for mobility aids.
Mobility aids, such as walkers and wheelchairs assist in maintaining free movement and independece. Assistive Appliances, such as standing frames, postural seats and adaptive orthotics, provide our patients with the ability to maintain joint stability, postural alignment and reach their functional goals. We are fortunate to have access to a wide range of domestic and foreign vendors for mobility aids. Our mobility aids are carefully chosen, and fitted to each patient's unique needs and presentation.
Neurological Conditions
Treatment for neurological conditions includes patients who have experienced strokes, traumatic brain injuries, nerve damage or dysfunction.
Treatment for neurological conditions includes patients who have experienced strokes, traumatic brain injuries, nerve damage or dysfunction and now experience foot drop or functional limb changes. Treatment is focused on regaining mobility and range.
Club
-Foot
Tarso-Pronator Boots are
used to correct the presentation of
Club Feet/Foot.
Club-Foot or Equinovarus Treatment
Tarso-Pronator Boots are used to correct the presentation of Club Feet/Foot. Following correction, it is important to maintain the range achieved in the achilles tendon and ensure that the foot functions are normally as possible through optimal gait kinematics. This can be achieved through the use of foot orthotics or ankle foot orthotics and is an important part of maintenance as your little one grows.
Tarso-Pronator Boots are used to correct the presentation of Club Feet/Foot. Following correction, it is important to maintain the range achieved in the achilles tendon and ensure that the foot functions are normally as possible through optimal gait kinematics. This can be achieved through the use of foot orthotics or ankle foot orthotics and is an important part of maintenance as your little one grows.
Prosthetics
Our prosthetics focus on mobility and comfort. Each component is chosen specifically for your needs and presentation. We specialise in Prosthetics for partial feet, below knee and above the knee.
We are a fully backed interdisciplinary team-led prosthetic provider. We are a specialized staff that works hard to concentrate on giving patients with lower and upper limb loss quality care.
Our team of knowledgeable prosthetic technicians will choose the technologies, methods, and advancements that are best suited to your requirements and unique presentation.
We take great satisfaction in the individualized, personable treatment we provide, working closely with you to comprehend your goals and expectations and help you reach your mobility targets.
Our shared objective is to offer prostheses that help people perform daily tasks more easily, improving quality of life and regaining mobility.
Our team of knowledgeable prosthetic technicians will choose the technologies, methods, and advancements that are best suited to your requirements and unique presentation.
We take great satisfaction in the individualized, personable treatment we provide, working closely with you to comprehend your goals and expectations and help you reach your mobility targets.
Our shared objective is to offer prostheses that help people perform daily tasks more easily, improving quality of life and regaining mobility.
Lymphoedema Treatment
Compression garments are thoughtfully selected for each patient's unique needs to effectively decrease volume, visibly enhance cosmesis, and promote significantly improved mobility and function.
Lymphedema, also known as lymphoedema and lymphatic edema, is a condition of localized swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system.[2] The lymphatic system functions as a critical portion of the body's immune system and returns interstitial fluid to the bloodstream. Lymphedema is most frequently a complication of cancer treatment or parasitic infections, but it can also be seen in a number of genetic disorders. Though incurable and progressive, a number of treatments may improve symptoms. Tissues with lymphedema are at high risk of infection because the lymphatic system has been compromised.
Serial Casting
Serial casting is a common procedure used to stretch and lengthen muscles. Children may have shortened muscles due to limited movement, muscle tightness or muscle restrictions.
Serial casting is a common procedure used to stretch and lengthen muscles. Children may have shortened muscles due to limited movement, muscle tightness or muscle restrictions.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a treatable condition that involves curvature and rotation of the spine. A custom back brace is designed to correct the progression and the curve and improve quality of life.
Scoliosis is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. Instead of the spine being straight, it curves to the side, forming an "S" or "C" shape. This condition can affect people of all ages, but it is most commonly diagnosed during adolescence when growth spurts occur.
Yovanka Torrente & Associates
Medical Orthotist & Prosthetist
Yovanka is a specialist practitioner in the area of Paediatrics, Neurodevelopment, Neurological Disorders, Biomechanics, Rare Genetics, Pathophysiology and disease progression. Yovanka works extensively with specialist practitioners to achieve optimal results. Yovanka's primary interest and goals as a practitioner is to allow her patients to live a life without strain or discomfort and to gain mobility through postural alignment so that they may function to their full ability.
Yovanka was the first practitioner in Africa to provide the American FDA approved Cranial Remoulding Treatment and has successfully treated over 350 children with Cranial Remoulding helmets.
She has a special interest in gait abnormalities, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida and rare genetic abnormalities and works hand in hand with specialist practitioners to ensure optimal results.
Yovanka believes in an inclusive, team based and holistic approach.
Yovanka is also one of the few Orthotists in Africa that is accredited in the “Elaine-Owen Method,” of gait analysis and prescribing orthotic devices for children with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as Cerebral Palsy, Paralysis and Spina Bifida.
Yovanka was the first practitioner in Africa to provide the American FDA approved Cranial Remoulding Treatment and has successfully treated over 350 children with Cranial Remoulding helmets.
She has a special interest in gait abnormalities, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida and rare genetic abnormalities and works hand in hand with specialist practitioners to ensure optimal results.
Yovanka believes in an inclusive, team based and holistic approach.
Yovanka is also one of the few Orthotists in Africa that is accredited in the “Elaine-Owen Method,” of gait analysis and prescribing orthotic devices for children with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as Cerebral Palsy, Paralysis and Spina Bifida.
