Assessment of hip rotation after gait improvement surgery in cerebral palsy

Sixteen children with diplegic type of cerebral palsy and spastic internal rotation gait were evaluated using gait analysis before and an average of 3 years after multiple soft tissue surgery. Significant correction of the internal rotation gait was observed after multi-level soft tissue surgery which included medial hamstring lengthening in all cases. Our results suggest that for children with spastic internal rotation gait, multi-level soft tissue surgery effectively corrects the dynamic internal rotation gait in the absence of fixed bony rotational deformities.     

Total hip arthroplasty in patients with cerebral palsy

The records of 16 patients (16 hips) with cerebral palsy who underwent total hip arthroplasty were reviewed. There were no dislocations, and other complications were rare. Pain relief was good to excellent in 87%. Function, as assessed by ambulatory status, was improved in 79%. Reasonable longevity of the implants can be expected even in patients <50 years. Total hip arthroplasty is a valuable option for the cerebral palsy patient with incapacitating hip pain.     

Interobserver variability of gait analysis in patients with cerebral palsy

In this study 11 ambulatory patients (mean 10.8 years) with spastic cerebral palsy were each evaluated with instrumented gait analysis at four different centers. After review of the data, each medical director chose from a list of treatment options. The average variability in static range of motion from physical examination ranged from 25 degrees to 50 degrees. Hip and knee sagittal motion had the best relative variability of 20 degrees to 24%. Via gait analysis, the average variability in sagittal, coronal, and transverse plane kinematic motions averaged 12, degrees 7 degrees, and 20 degrees, respectively. Increased variability was noted in transverse (worst) to coronal and finally sagittal (best) plane motion. Only two mildly affected patients had similar, but not exact, treatment recommendations. The authors conclude that substantial variations in raw data exist when the same cerebral palsy patient is evaluated at different gait centers. These data do not yield the same treatment recommendations in the majority of patients.     

Management of hip disorders in patients with cerebral palsy

Hip disorders are common in patients with cerebral palsy and cover a wide clinical spectrum, from the hip at risk to subluxation, dislocation, and dislocation with degeneration and pain. Although the hip is normal at birth, a combination of muscle imbalance and bony deformity leads to progressive dysplasia. The spasticity or contracture usually involves the adductor and iliopsoas muscles; thus, the majority of hips subluxate in a posterosuperior direction. Many patients with untreated dislocations develop pain by early adulthood. Because physical examination alone is unreliable, an anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis is required for diagnosis. Soft-tissue lengthening is recommended for children as soon as discernable hip subluxation (hip abduction <30 degrees, migration index >25%) is recognized. One-stage comprehensive hip reconstruction is effective treatment for children 4 years of age or older who have a migration index >60% but who have not yet developed advanced degenerative changes of the femoral head. Salvage options for the skeletally mature patient with a neglected hip are limited.     

Proximal femoral varus rotation osteotomy in cerebral palsy: a prospective gait study

This prospective study examined the kinematic and temporal/spatial effects of proximal femoral varus rotation osteotomy (VRO) on the gait of individuals with cerebral palsy from preoperative to 1-year postoperative status. Participants were a consecutive sample of 37 individuals (14 males, 23 females). The analysis consisted of three-dimensional kinematics, temporal/spatial measures, and functional status. A curve representing the difference between the preoperative and 12-month postoperative conditions was calculated for each joint motion. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals were calculated about the mean difference curves using a bootstrapping technique. VRO resulted in improved cosmesis and objective improvement in gait, including a statistically significant increase in hip external rotation and hip extension, a decrease in anterior pelvic tilt, and an increase in knee extension strength. The use of confidence bands to identify surgical outcomes with respect to kinematic variables has enormous value for patients and professionals. Long-term follow-up is needed to see if the aforementioned gains improve.     

Factors affecting the incidence of hip dislocation in cerebral palsy

We have studied the natural history of spontaneous dislocation of the hip in cerebral palsy, with particular reference to the pattern of neurological involvement. In patients with bilateral hemiplegia and severe involvement of the upper limbs the incidence of dislocation was very high (59%), while in those with diplegia and little involvement of the upper limbs, only 6.5% were affected. There was no evidence of dysplasia or instability of the hip in any of the patients with unilateral hemiplegia. A strong correlation was found between the stability of the hip and the patients' ability to walk. These findings have a bearing on clinical surveillance and also on the indications for prophylactic surgery.     

Evaluation of rotational gait abnormality in the patients cerebral palsy

Internal rotation of hip is commonly seen in children with cerebral palsy. Existing muscle imbalance causes persistence of femoral deformity, which may contribute to rotational asymmetry. In cerebral palsy, gait deviations are the result of dynamic and static components, both caused by muscle imbalance. In this study we investigated the predictability of hip rotation in gait from the measurement of anatomic deformity. Computed tomography (CT) measurements of femoral anteversion and physical examination data failed to predict the hip rotation in gait. However, tibial (CT) measurements and physical examination data highly correlated with tibial rotation in gait. We conclude the dynamic component of hip rotation during gait is significant, as anatomic deformity did not predict gait deviations.     

Radiographic hip disorders and associated complications in severe cerebral palsy

We performed a cross-sectional study of 160 adult patients with severe cerebral palsy to study the relationship between radiographic hip disorders (migration and deformity of the femoral head), on the one hand, and complications such as handling problems, seating problems, decubitus ulcers, fractures and contractures, on the other hand. Both migration and deformity were positively related to the need for a special seat in the wheelchair and adduction contractures of the hip. We conclude that migration and deformity of the femoral head, if possible, should be prevented in patients with severe cerebral palsy.     

Long-term results of hip arthroplasty in ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy

Osteoarthritis (OA) secondary to dislocation and dysplasia is a common problem in patients with cerebral palsy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of total hip replacement (THR) in ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy. Eighteen total hip arthroplasties were performed in 16 ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy. The patient's mean age at surgery was 42 ± 8 years (range 32–58 years), and the mean follow-up was 10 ± 6 years (range 2–18 years). Data were obtained by a standardised telephone interview. There was a significant postoperative reduction in pain on the NAS (narrative analogue scale) from 8.4 preoperatively to 1.1 postoperatively (p = 0.002). At follow-up no stem had been revised. Three cups were revised for aseptic loosening at two and six years, and one cup was revised for recurrent dislocation of the hip. One hip was revised for infection 12 years after the index surgery. One hip dislocated (three months postoperatively) and was treated by closed reduction. In ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy and secondary osteoarthritis of the hip THR can provide long-term pain relief and improved function. The rate of long term complications was moderate in this series; however, the dislocation rate was higher than in standard OA cases.     

Determinants of hip pain in adult patients with severe cerebral palsy

The purpose of our investigation was to study the relationship between radiographic results of the femoral head and pain in people with severe cerebral palsy. We conducted a cross-sectional study on hip radiography results and pain in 160 patients with severe cerebral palsy. Eighteen percent of our patients had hip pain in hip-loading situations. Migration and deformity were closely related. There was a significant association with hip pain (odds ratio, 2.79; 95% confidence interval 1.01-7.70). There is a high prevalence of hip pain after unsuccessful femoral bone surgery. Migration and deformity of the femoral head are strongly interrelated, and are associated with pain.     

Natural progression of gait in children with cerebral palsy

Twenty-eight children with cerebral palsy had two gait analyses an average of 4.4 years apart with no surgical intervention between the tests. The effects of growth and age were examined using three-dimensional kinematics, temporal and stride parameters, and clinical examination measures. Kinematic changes showed decreases in hip, knee, and ankle sagittal plane ranges of motion (ROM), peak hip flexion in swing, and peak knee flexion over time. Temporal and stride parameters showed declines in timing of toe off, cadence, and walking velocity. Clinical measures showed declines in hip abduction ROM (knees flexed and extended), popliteal angle, and sagittal plane ankle ROM (knees flexed and extended). Overall results showed that gait function in these individuals with cerebral palsy decreased longitudinally with respect to temporal/stride measures, passive ROM, and kinematic parameters compared with a group of individuals who had had orthopaedic intervention.     

Causes of intoeing gait in children with cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND: Intoeing is a frequent gait problem in children with cerebral palsy. It is essential to determine the cause(s) of intoeing when surgical intervention is being planned. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of various causes of intoeing in children with cerebral palsy and to determine whether the causes differ between children with bilateral and those with unilateral involvement. METHODS: The cause of intoeing gait was examined retrospectively, with use of gait analysis, in 412 children with cerebral palsy (587 involved sides). The causes were evaluated separately for the children with bilateral involvement (diplegia or quadriplegia) and those with hemiplegia. RESULTS: Overall, the most common causes of intoeing were internal hip rotation (322 of 587 sides) and internal tibial torsion (296 of 587 sides). Pes varus contributed to intoeing of thirty-five of the eighty-two involved limbs of the patients with hemiplegia and of forty-two of the 505 limbs of the patients with diplegia or quadriplegia. Multiple causes of intoeing were noted in 215 of the 587 involved limbs, including 176 of the 505 limbs of the patients with bilateral involvement and thirty-nine of the eighty-two involved limbs of the patients with hemiplegia. The most common causes of intoeing in the subjects with bilateral involvement were internal hip rotation (288 of 505), internal tibial torsion (261 of 505), and internal pelvic rotation (ninety-two of 505). The most common causes in the hemiplegic children were internal tibial torsion (thirty-five of eighty-two), pes varus (thirty-five of eighty-two), internal hip rotation (thirty-four of eighty-two), and metatarsus adductus (twenty of eighty-two). CONCLUSIONS: More than one-third of children with cerebral palsy have multiple causes of intoeing. Pes varus commonly contributes to intoeing by children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy but rarely contributes to intoeing by those with diplegia or quadriplegia. These findings should be carefully considered prior to surgical correction of the intoeing gait of these patients.     

Development of gait in spastic children with cerebral palsy

The gait of 50 spastic children 3-16 years old was recorded and analyzed. All children showed abnormal values of both basal parameters and phases of the stride. In gait velocity and stride length, their values were lower than normal, but they increased with age, with stride length increasing in parallel with normal values. Stride frequency showed a decrease with age, the reverse of normal. Stance and swing, when normalized with regard to stride duration, showed no change with age in spastic children. Also, stance was longer than in normal children, the same tendency as shown by double support. Hemiplegic children showed clearly asymmetric phases. The decreasing stride frequency with increasing age indicates a relative slowing of movements. Most changes with age were, however, the same as in normal children. The prolonged stance and double support suggest deteriorated postural control, resulting in an increased need of support.     

Lever arm dysfunction in cerebral palsy gait

Skeletal structures act as lever arms during walking. Muscle activity and the ground reaction against gravity exert forces on the skeleton, which generate torque (moments) around joints. These lead to the sequence of movements which form normal human gait. Skeletal deformities in cerebral palsy (CP) affect the function of bones as lever arms and compromise gait. Lever arm dysfunction should be carefully considered when contemplating treatment to improve gait in children with CP.     

Windswept hip deformity in children with cerebral palsy

Windswept hip deformity describes an abduction and external rotation position of one hip with the opposite hip in adduction and internal rotation. Windswept hip deformity may occur in association with hip dislocation and scoliosis. We analysed the prevalence of this deformity in a total population of children with cerebral palsy, and the impact of hip prevention and early treatment of contractures on the prevalence and severity of windswept hip deformity. The frequency of windswept hip deformity was 12% in the control group and 7% in the study group, comprising children in the hip prevention programme. The children with this deformity in the study group had a lower frequency of scoliosis and none had hip dislocation. It thus seems that the hip prevention programme results in a decrease in the number of children with windswept hip deformity, and a decrease in the severity of the deformity.     

Established hip dislocations in children with cerebral palsy

Hip dislocation in children with cerebral palsy is caused by a combination of factors, including spastic muscle imbalance, persistent fetal femoral geometry, acetabular dysplasia, and flexion-adduction contracture. The incidence of dislocation correlates with the severity of the spasticity, and the prevalence is close to 50% in neurologically immature, spastic quadriplegic children. Successful hip reductions improve muscular balance, provide satisfactory reduction of the femoral head, and establish good pelvic coverage. In 31 occurrences of established hip dislocation in 24 patients, the most successful operations used a combined procedure consisting of soft-tissue release, open reduction, femoral varus derotation and shortening osteotomy, and pelvic osteotomy.     

Untreated hip dislocation in cerebral palsy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the problems associated with hip dislocation in adults with cerebral palsy. Twenty-nine subjects with dislocated hips and no prior hip surgery were identified. There were a total of 38 dislocated hips. Age range was 21 to 52 years (average 34). Seven dislocated hips (18%) were definitely painful and four hips (11%) produced only mild or intermittent pain. Twenty-seven hips (71%) were not painful. The seven painful hips underwent proximal femoral resection, resulting in excellent range of motion and no pain. In conclusion, for established nonpainful hip dislocation in the severely involved spastic quadriplegic patient, aggressive surgical treatment should be undertaken only after careful consideration of the natural history. If a dislocated hip becomes painful in adulthood or develops an adduction contracture interfering with perineal care, a proximal femoral resection can be performed with reliably good success.