Exercises :
Never attempt to limit your child's spontaneous movement, because any activity will aid in muscle and bone strengthening.

As soon as your child's medical condition permits, you can encourage a full range of exercises, including swimming and weight bearing exercises. Exercise can range from kicking and splashing in the bathtub to a full exercise program implemented by a physical therapist. Weight bearing can begin with propped sitting, head lifting, and partial weight bearing in the upper arms, and can advance to standing and walking.

Swimming is the safest and most valuable exercise for children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, and should be encouraged as soon as possible.

Bracing :
When your child appears ready to stand, you might consider lightweight, containment-type braces for him or her. Braces are initially used with a standing frame or standing table.

These devices hold the child who is wearing the braces upright in a standing position. It is hoped that standing will lead to strengthening of the child's fragile bones and, possibly, to long bone growth, thus providing the opportunity for these extremely short children to achieve a little more height.

Walking :
Seeing their child walk is a goal for many parents of a child with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Because of the different levels of severity of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, it is very difficult to predict what lies ahead for your child. There are many people with OI who are capable of walking independently for long distances, and others who are able to get in and out of their wheelchairs and walk on a more limited basis.

There are others who, even after years of braces, surgery, and physical therapy, are still unable to walk. The advisable course is for you to proceed as if walking is attainable. Yet it is important to be accepting of whatever your child is able to achieve. Have faith in your child and allow him or her to take the risks necessary to achieve as much independent mobility as possible; love him or her no matter what he or she can accomplish.