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Get to Know our Staff: Hayley Shelton, Physical Therapist

Get to Know our Staff: Hayley Shelton, Physical Therapist

by | Jan 9, 2024 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children? 
Physical Therapist

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
I provide physical therapy services to patients who visit the Ambulatory Care clinics by performing evaluations for home exercise programs, gait training, baseline functional assessments, and pre-operative evaluations. I also perform standardized performance tests and measures to objectively measure patients’ current functional status and to collect data for department research and quality improvement projects. Additionally, I perform screenings to determine if a patient has a need for formal skilled physical therapy services or equipment and bracing needs. Other duties include assisting with coordinating care and facilitating communication between the physical therapists in the Therapy Services department and the Ambulatory Care staff regarding our mutual patients and assisting in evaluations and treatments of patients in the inpatient and outpatient settings.

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you worked here?
My first job as a PT was working in the acute care setting at a large hospital in the area where I treated adults with a variety of diagnoses. I really enjoyed the teamwork that comes from collaborating as a multidisciplinary team and learned how much this improves the quality of care a patient receives. My first experience at Scottish Rite occurred when I shadowed in the Therapy Services department prior to attending physical therapy school. The positive and cheerful atmosphere was unlike any healthcare setting I had experienced at the time and it made a lasting impression. I am thankful that I get to continue working in a collaborative setting in my role as a clinic therapist. I am coming up on my two year anniversary at Scottish Rite in May.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I enjoy getting to learn from and collaborate with the wonderful people in the Therapy Services department and all the ambulatory care teams. I also love that Scottish Rite prioritizes doing what is best for each patient regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
Since I work in clinic, the patients I see for PT are not pre-scheduled most of the time, so, each day brings new surprises and opportunities to learn and grow as a therapist.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
I tend to travel to the same places every year, but my favorite place is Seaside, Florida.

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
I look forward to watching the Summer Olympics every 4 years

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
The 1950s-60s to see Julie Andrews perform live on Broadway

What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
Sunglasses, water filter, the Bible

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I danced in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Supporting the Mental Aspects of Recovery after an ACL Reconstruction

Supporting the Mental Aspects of Recovery after an ACL Reconstruction

by | Jan 9, 2024 | Sports Medicine

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries (ACL) continue to be a problem in youth sports such as basketball and soccer. Many athletes and families are very aware of the lengthy physical aspect of returning to sport after an ACL injury and surgery. Some are surprised by the mental challenges and demands that come along with an injury. Patients, like Johanna, are supported by our multi-disciplinary team from the moment they walk into our sports medicine clinic.

Watch Johanna tell her story.

Physical therapist Rushi Patel says, “a lot of times people talk about the physical aspect of an ACL initial injury but you could argue the mental aspect is just as hard.”

Upon arrival, our team begins assessing a new patient from the “inside out.” We ask questions about how the athlete was injured, what level of competition they want to return to and what challenges they are facing physically and mentally in addition to the injury. These help us decide who needs to be involved in the athlete’s care from day one. Here are three tools we implement in our care of young athletes:

  • Certified child life specialists assist children and teens in understanding diagnoses and medical procedures, this helps to keep anticipation and fear under control.
  • Psychologists are available to consult when our clinic team or responses to screening questionnaires suggest an athlete may need more individualized guidance on pain management, coping with the injury and fears related to returning to sports.
  • Many of our patients receive stress management and pain management skill instructions to help them navigate day to day moments and the progression of rehabilitation. Download PDF.

Every team member, from nurse to physical therapist is focused on caring for kids and teens all day, every day. We use age- and developmentally appropriate strategies when we talk to kids, formulate treatment plans and create our educational materials.

Johanna says, “Scottish Rite has been like no other care I’ve gotten at a medical facility I truly feel loved and cared for and not just seen as a number or a patient with an issue to get resolved but they truly care about who I am what my goals are and ultimately what I want to accomplish in life.”

Check out how you can help us learn to prevent ACL injuries.

What to Expect If Your Child Has a Stress Fracture

What to Expect If Your Child Has a Stress Fracture

by | Jan 8, 2024 | Sports Medicine

If you have a young athlete in the family, you probably know that bumps and bruises are part of the game. A more severe injury, like a stress fracture, however, can be worrisome for any parent. Being informed about the nature of stress fractures and how to help your child heal can ease your mind.

What Causes Stress Fractures in Kids?

A stress fracture, sometimes called a hairline fracture, is a tiny crack in a bone caused by physical stress. This type of injury often occurs when a specific muscle or joint is overused or strained, known as an overuse injury.

Stress fractures commonly occur when a child performs the same movements over and over again, for example, running, jumping or throwing a ball.

Telltale Signs of a Stress Fracture 

Stress fractures develop over time, and one of the first signs you may notice is your child frequently complaining of pain after playing or practicing their sport. 

Your child may experience other symptoms, including:

●      Pain during exercise that doesn’t always go away with rest

●      Redness

●      Swelling

●      Tenderness

Swelling or bruising may develop around the bone in the early stages of the injury when it’s considered a “bone stress reaction.” As the injury worsens, it develops into a stress fracture, causing a crack or tiny break in the bone.

Stress Fractures Commonly Seen in Kids

Stress fractures are most common in the weight-bearing bones in the legs and feet, including the tibia bone (shinbone). However, young athletes can experience stress fractures in many other parts of the body. 

Gymnasts, for example, can develop stress fractures in the wrist, while softball and baseball pitchers may experience stress fractures in the arms or shoulders. Stress fractures affecting the lower extremities are common in nearly all sports since most activities place stress on the legs and feet. Rarely, stress fractures can develop in the spine or ribs.

How Are Stress Fractures in Kids Diagnosed and Treated?

If your child has symptoms of a stress fracture, check in with a medical provider. A sports medicine specialist can help determine the cause of your child’s discomfort and provide a treatment plan.

To diagnose an injury, the provider will first gather your child’s medical history and then conduct a physical examination, focusing on the area of discomfort. If the provider suspects a stress fracture, he or she may order imaging tests, such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI, to confirm a diagnosis.

The primary treatment for a stress fracture is rest. Because the injury is most often the result of overuse of a bone and the surrounding muscles, taking the stress and strain off that part of the body is essential. Your child should take a break from activity, and if the injury is in the lower body, your child may also need to wear a boot or use crutches to take weight off the injured bone.

In rare cases, bones that don’t heal after a long period may require surgery to heal correctly.

Prevention 101

To reduce the risk of a stress fracture, have your child avoid repetitive movements as much as possible. Also, encourage cross-training. Having your young athlete do activities that require different muscles and movements not only limits stress on a single joint, but it can also strengthen other muscles and improve their performance in their primary sport.

You can also help your child prevent stress fractures by having them prioritize rest between games and practices, using proper sport-specific equipment and eating a balanced diet rich in vitamin D and calcium. Finally, teach your child never to play through pain.

Think your child may have a stress fracture? Call 469-515-7100 to schedule an appointment with one of Scottish Rite for Children’s sports medicine specialists.

Sports Medicine Year in Review

Sports Medicine Year in Review

by | Jan 8, 2024 | Sports Medicine

Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center has had an exciting year! We celebrated our fifth birthday in the beautiful facility where we serve children with a variety of pediatric orthopedic needs requiring all levels of care from observation to complex reconstructive surgery. Our mission is often described having three elements, clinical care, teaching and research. Together, they provide a rich experience for patients and trainees and help to define pediatric orthopedics across the world.

Here are a few updates from the Sports Medicine team.

CLINICAL CARE
In the sports medicine clinic, we see more than 16,000 visits each year, and that number continues to grow. Recognized again for excellence in patient experience, our team focuses on educating the patients and families and providing outstanding care so that patients have the outcome they desire. Our work to integrate screening for psychological and nutritional needs help our patients succeed in their rehabilitation and return to sport efforts.

TEACHING
Pediatric sports medicine is a relatively new subspecialty in pediatric orthopedics. In fact, only a handful of organizations have an ACGME-accredited* fellowship program focused on this area. We are very excited to share that we are currently in the process of selecting our first fellow to join our team in 2024. This year-long training program offers a sports medicine surgeon the opportunity to train alongside our experts in the clinic, on the sidelines and in the operating room. In the past year, we had 13 orthopedic residents rotate through our clinic to learn about care and research in pediatric sports medicine.

RESEARCH
This year, our team published more than 20 articles in prestigious medical journals. Many authored by our medical staff and trainees and others were collaboration with peers in the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine (PRiSM) Society. Here are findings that are being presented at national and international conferences and have the potential to change sports medicine in the areas of diagnostics, clinical care, return-to-sport decision making and injury prevention.

The Sports Medicine team is presenting results from more than 25 projects at a national meeting for the PRiSM Society in January. This work is made possible by our patients, national grants, generous donors and many student trainees learning about pediatric orthopedics and sports medicine.
Learn how healthy athletes can volunteer for a study or you can donate.
 
* The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) is the accrediting body for graduate medical education. They hold programs to standards that prepare physicians in nearly 200 specialties.

Scoliosis Physical Therapy for Stronger, Straighter Spines

Scoliosis Physical Therapy for Stronger, Straighter Spines

by | Jan 2, 2024 | Scoliosis & Spine

If your child has scoliosis, chances are you’ve already discussed many treatment options with a pediatric spine specialist. The specialist may have recommended a “wait and see” approach to determine whether your child’s curve gets worse or stays the same. You may have learned about braces and casts to keep the spine straight, and you’ve likely researched surgeries that can correct the condition. One option you may not have considered is scoliosis physical therapy. 

This specialized form of physical therapy allows kids and their families to be actively involved in their treatment by addressing muscle and posture issues that can develop due to scoliosis. 

How Physical Therapy Helps Kids With Scoliosis 

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. In children with the condition, the spine may twist or be shaped like a C or an S rather than straight. You might notice your that your child has uneven hips or shoulders, but the condition does not always cause symptoms. When it does, children may complain of back pain, difficulty breathing and shoulder pain. 

With scoliosis physical therapy, children work with specially trained therapists to learn scoliosis-specific exercises that correct posture and retrain muscles. These programs help slow or prevent the progression of a spinal curve and may counteract the effects a curved spine can have on the body. Physical therapy can also reduce pain and improve breathing.

Exercises your child learns may focus on improving:

·       Functional movement, so your child can go about their daily activities

·       Range of motion, as kids with scoliosis may have limited mobility 

·       Strength in the muscles surrounding the spine, hips, shoulders, head and lower body

The Schroth Method 

There are a few different scoliosis physical therapy programs that have been developed. At Scottish Rite for Children, several of our physical therapists have completed specialized training in one type, known as the Schroth method. 

Physical therapists use this method to teach children exercises and breathing techniques that strengthen muscles throughout their bodies. The intent is to improve their posture and ability to perform typical daily activities, such as sitting, standing, lying down and walking. 

During these sessions, physical therapists often have children stand in front of mirrors so they can see how scoliosis affects their posture and movement. The therapist asks the child to breathe in specific patterns or tighten his or her muscles to elongate and stabilize the spine. Sessions can last 45 to 60 minutes, and children can continue the exercises at home between sessions.

Schroth exercises help treat another spine condition many adolescents develop — kyphosis. This spinal disorder happens when a curve causes rounding in the upper back. 

Planning a Physical Therapy Program for Your Child 

Many websites offer exercise tips for people with scoliosis, but working with a dedicated physical therapist helps ensure your child performs exercises specific to their needs.

Before the sessions begin, your child will have an evaluation with a pediatric spine specialist, who can determine the type of scoliosis your child has and the magnitude of the spinal curve. 

The physical therapist uses this information to determine which exercises your child needs and teaches him or her the correct way to do each exercise. As your child improves, the therapist will adapt the program to ensure your child gets the most benefit.

The amount of time your child needs scoliosis physical therapy depends on his or her diagnosis. Even after your child completes the recommended number of sessions, the therapist may provide instructions for a home exercise program to relieve symptoms and prevent the spinal curve from worsening.

Combining the Schroth Method With Traditional Physical Therapy

Traditional physical therapy focuses on the side-to-side curve of the spine. Schroth exercises address this issue from a three-dimensional perspective, straightening the spine from back to front and side to side and correcting spinal twisting. 

For this reason, a scoliosis specialist may combine traditional physical therapy with the Schroth method as they work with your child. 

Scoliosis Care Beyond Physical Therapy 

Some children do well with physical therapy alone. Typically, however, a child will have physical therapy along with wearing a scoliosis brace. 

For some kids, more care is needed. Children with spinal curves greater than 50 degrees often require surgery. Children whose curves have worsened despite wearing a brace may need surgery as well. 

Still, children who need surgery may benefit from a scoliosis physical therapy program. Physical therapy can help regain movement and muscle strength as they recover.

Like any form of exercise, physical therapy has many benefits. While it can’t cure or “fix” your child’s curve, physical therapy strengthens your child’s muscles and helps him or her better manage scoliosis, which can make a big difference in everyday life. 

The scoliosis team at Scottish Rite for Children has years of experience treating children with varying degrees of scoliosis. For more information about physical therapy for scoliosis, schedule an appointment to discuss scoliosis care.