Children are the most precious gift bestowed upon every family by heaven. Faced with lively and active babies, family members always embrace their behavior with selfless love. However, parents should maintain rationality while caring for their children and avoid indulging them too much.
"Don't spoil the child!" This advice is not only applicable to physically healthy children but also to those with congenital hand and foot deformities. While it's easy to say, implementing it is not so straightforward. Due to prolonged pampering by family members, children may find it easier to follow their own "nature," forcing parents to compromise. This is not acceptable;when parents notice something wrong with their child, they must be resolute in correcting it.
Indulging every whim may hinder postoperative functional recovery
Recently, a baby with polydactyly deformities in both hands came for postoperative re-examination at the hospital. Her left hand had type II polydactyly, while the right hand had type IV, with the situation more severe on the right side. I've interacted with many parents, and most of them are more concerned about appearance than functionality.However, this mother was unique;she cared more about her child's hand functionality, leaving a deep impression on me.
Unexpectedly, after the surgery, the recovery of the child's hands was mediocre. Upon further investigation, it turned out that the child was usually taken care of by her mother and grandmother. As the family's treasure, everyone in the family pampered her. After removing the Kirschner wire, according to the instructions, the child had to wear a brace every night. However, the child didn't like the sensation and would remove the brace herself. If forced to wear it, she would cry, and her parents, being soft-hearted, would yield. Moreover, during the day, the parents were supposed to guide the child through the exercises I taught, but the child simply refused to move. The parents couldn't resist her, and over time, they neglected these exercises.
More exercises lead to better hand function recovery
What doctors can do is create conditions for the child, but functional recovery largely depends on the cooperation of doctors, parents, and the child. At home, parents need to patiently and gradually guide the child through exercises following the doctor's instructions. Initially, the child may resist, and parents should encourage her. Once past this stage, as the child's hands move more, the functionality will improve.
I firmly expressed my opinion to the parents. Fortunately, the child's mother was receptive, and after understanding the severity of the issue, she pledged not to indulge the child anymore and immediately resumed the exercises.
During the recent reexamination, the child exhibited agile gripping of toys, and her strength had significantly increased compared to the last visit.Undoubtedly, the child's mother at home has overcome many "resistances." Exercise is not an overnight process;it requires consistent effort. I believe that when the child returns for another reexamination in six months or a year, her bilateral hand function will
continue to improve.
