PT Update!

Good news: Mia did great at her therapy session today. She wasn't favoring either leg and was very balanced when walking on uneven surfaces and with squatting and bending. Mary was quite impressed! Also, her elbow was straighter today. She is still having problems turning her hand over so that her palm is facing upward. Also, when she is picking up something with her left hand, she always keeps her right arm bent. It is really odd. Probably just a bad habit or way she is protecting her joint, but she does it consistently.

We need your prayers!: In some cases, JRA can cause the leg that is most affected to grow faster than the other leg, causing one's balance to be off. This can also result in scoliosis later on in life. Up until now, the length of Mia's legs have been exactly the same. Mary measured the length of Mia's legs today to make sure they were still even. Her left leg is now longer than her right. I could visually see it while Mary was examining her. She told us we need to bring this up to the rheumatologist tomorrow during her appointment. For right now, Mary suggested we just keep an eye on it. However, she said if the left leg continues to grow faster than the right then she suggested we put a shoe lift or insert in her right shoe to even out her length and make her more balanced. She said to check with the doctor tomorrow about this because she said most of them don't like to do this, but she has seen great improvement in kids with JRA by just putting a lift/insert in the other shoe.

Mary said she had be en expecting this would eventually happen to Mia and that she has been watching for it. However, we know this is not something that is too big for God!! Mia has come so far since October...this is just another obstacle in the way on her journey to complete and total health!

So, you may ask, "What causes the leg to grow faster than the other?" Well, it is the same reason why her big toe started to grow faster than her other big toe about a year ago - too much blood is pumping to the affected joint causing it to grow at a faster rate than the opposite and unaffected joint.

So, please continue to pray! Also, Mia goes in to see the eye doctor this Friday to have them checked. We are believing and expecting a good report!!

As always...I'll keep you posted. :)