Osteogenesis imperfecta: an overview of general pediatric rehabilitation.

The unique biological changes associated with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) result in a dramatic reduction in a child's functional capacity. Successful adaptation and optimal functioning for the child and family, the over-arching goal of comprehensive rehabilitation, are dependent upon the complex interactions between biological processes and a host of behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental factors. This article reviews the premises underlying the need for rehabilitation; general rehabilitation strategies; the aims and outcomes to be achieved through the provision of rehabilitation; and the broad-based issues and variables that affect outcome. Because of the multifactorial and complex nature of the pediatric disability, advances in the rehabilitation of children with OI will require long-term, multivariant, and multicenter studies that will capture health-related, psychosocial, environmental, and functional variables.