The SPIO (stabilizing pressure input orthosis) is a therapeutic suit designed to give deep pressure and compression to children with abnormal tone and movement patterns as well as sensory deficits.  The SPIO was developed in the mid-eighties by a mother of two children with movement impairments who worked closely with a physical therapist.  This mother was looking for something that could mimic the compression that the therapist was providing during sessions in something that could be worn for long periods of time and thus, came the SPIO!

 

The idea behind the SPIO suit is that compression or deep pressure to a large area (especially the trunk) helps to improve dynamic stability and postural control by directing sensory input towards the midline or center of the body.  Compression into joints and muscles can assist with proprioceptive awareness, meaning that it awakens the receptors that sense how the body is moving.  This awareness is critical for balance and controlled movement and may be compromised in children with sensory deficits. 

 

The SPIO can be used for a wide range of impairments associated with the following diagnoses:

 It is available in various styles including:

Other styles include a full body sleeveless unitard and a glove for isolated hand/wrist impairments. Some of the styles can be used in combination with each other depending on the area of impairment or desired effect. 

 

You may be thinking that this sounds similar to the TheraTog, which we wrote about in a previous newsletter (June 2009, see our website for our newsletter archive) and you are right.  It is similar in that they are both compression garments designed to improve dynamic stability.  However, the TheraTog can be used for more specific biomechanical and alignment issues as it comes with a strapping system in addition to the basic suit. 

 

If you are interested in finding out more about the SPIO suit styles, cost, uses, or would like to read articles regarding the benefits of compression you can visit their website.  This article is meant to give you an idea of what the SPIO is used for.  If you think it could be beneficial for your child, you should speak with your clinician or other health care provider prior to using it.

 

As parents of children in physical therapy, you may be familiar with Cascade orthotics.  Cascade makes great pediatric orthotics to accomodate a wide array of alignment or mobility impairments that are secondary to various diagnoses.  However, we want to introduce you to a company that we know of that has designed a Supramalleolar Orthosis (SMO) to suit a more specific population. 

 

SureStep has designed a SMO specifically for children with low to normal muscle tone who demonstrate moderate to severe pronation during standing and walking.  Pronation refers to the collapase of the medial arch of the foot resulting in abnormal alignment of the foot from the heel to the forefoot.  Over time, it can have an adverse affect on the knee and hip joints as well. The SureStep SMO utilizes different concepts than traditional bracing has in the past.  One of these concepts is compression.  It is made of thin and flexible plastic that is tightened around the foot resulting in a midline position instead of more rigid plastic that wedges the foot into the proper position.  The thin, flexible plastic allows the foot to continue to move and therefore, allows the prioproceptive receptors to continue to sense movement.  This, in turn, encourages the development of appropriate balance strategies and movement patterns.  Another thing that sets the SureStep SMO apart are it's unique trimlines.  The orthotic ends on the bottom of the foot just before the ends of the long bones of the feet.  In other words, the bottom of the orthotic does not extend all the way under the toes.  This allows the distal end of the foot to be free for push-off during walking, running, jumping and standing on toes.  It also provides more flexibility for activities such as climbing. Lastly, the SureStep SMO does not require casting.  Instead it uses a series of measurements to create a customized orthotic. 

 

In summary, the SureStep SMO is an orthotic that provides appropriate stability and positioning for children who pronate while still allowing for position sense and true dynamic movement. To read more about this product or other products by SureStep you can visit their website.  If you think the SureStep orthotic may be appropriate for your child, talk with your clinician to obtain more information and advice.