How to Have a Successful Poop After Surgery: Tips from Captain Strong Bone

Hôpitaux Shriners pour enfants - Canada / Shriners Hospitals for Children -
Canada

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease, is a rare genetic condition that
leads to fragile and deformed bones. As a result, children easily fracture, have reduced mobility,
and are shorter in stature. These factors all increase their risk for constipation, especially after
surgery. Being constipated is not very pleasant, not easy to talk about, and can even have some
embarrassing moments. With no educational resources available to help children learn about
their constipation, our team, composed of scientists, clinicians, and children, developed a
colouring book and a series of animated videos including one on teaching children with OI how to
have a successful “poop” after surgery. The video features Captain Strong Bone, a femur with OI,
who guides his friend, Harry the Humerus, to help relieve his constipation. The animated video
relies on visual cues and funny sounds to effectively deliver some potentially embarrassing
information in a light-hearted way. While the video was initially created to help the children with
OI, the contents of the video, targets children of various ages, who are at risk of constipation. The
video is aligned with the IHDCYH’s mandate to facilitate the mobilization of knowledge crucial for
the healthy development of children. Animation is an effective and accessible medium that may
be used to mobilize research evidence in a meaningful way for children. Children will learn why
they are constipated and receive a list of tips to help reduce their risk for constipation, thereby
improving their quality of life.