Final answer:
For a child in a Pavlik harness, using a push toy for balance and support reinforces lower body strength and supports hip development. It is essential that activities accommodate the restrictions of the harness while promoting natural movement and development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Appropriate activities for a child in a Pavlik harness for congenital hip dysplasia should accommodate the harness's restrictions while promoting development. One such activity includes the use of a push toy, which can provide balance and support similar to what is described in Figure 23.5.11, allowing the child to take steps while supported. This activity encourages weight bearing and strengthening of the lower body within the safe parameters of the harness, which is designed to ensure the correct positioning and development of the hip joint.
When discussing the forces on the hip joint, we consider the stabilization provided by the Pavlik harness, which effectively redirects the forces to promote a good movable joint. Similarly, the dimensions of an artificial hip device—estimated from photographs such as depicted in Figure 5.1—not only provide insight into the necessary clearances and implant size for an adult but also reflect careful planning to mimic the natural biomechanics of walking and standing, which is paralleled in the purpose of using a Pavlik harness in children.
Therefore, the overall goal is to enable the child to engage in light activities like bipedal locomotion, which can foster development and joy in movement—as captured by the children in Figure 23.6.2—while also ensuring that the hips are supported in a position conducive to healing and proper growth.