Analysis of Joint Power and Work During Gait in Children With and Without Cerebral Palsy

PurposeTo compare joint work in the lower limb joints during different sub-phases of the gait cycle between Cerebral Palsy (CP) and healthy children.MethodsEighteen CP and 20 healthy children’s gait data were collected. The CP group included orthoses, intra-muscular injection of botulinum toxin and surgery groups. A motion capture system was used to collect gait data. Joint work was calculated as positive and negative components in six subphases during gait and normalised by speed when comparing the groups.ResultsThe CP group had a slower walking speed, smaller stride length and longer stance phase than the healthy group. Hip max positive work was 0.12 ± 0.02 Jkg⁻¹/ms⁻¹ for the CP group in pre-mid-stance but 0.07 ± 0.01 Jkg⁻¹/ms⁻¹ for the healthy group during the terminal phase. In terminal stance, ankle positive work was significantly lower in the CP group (0.12 ± 0.01) than in the healthy group (0.18 ± 0.01). The knee showed a similar distribution of positive work in the stance phase for the two groups. In the ankle and hip, the CP group had energy generation mainly in midstance while the healthy group was mainly in terminal stance. In the ankle, the CP group had larger energy absorption in mid-stance than the healthy children group, while the CP group showed lower energy generation in the terminal stance phase than seen in the healthy group.ConclusionThe qualitative and quantitative analysis of joint work provides useful information for clinicians in the treatment and rehabilitation of CP patients.     

Usability and Reliability of the Edinburgh Visual Gait Score in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy Using Smartphone Slow-Motion Video Technology and a Motion Analysis Application: A Pilot Study

BackgroundThe Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS) is a comprehensive measure of gait abnormalities in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and has good psychometric properties. However, it is cumbersome to administer and requires multiple devices to record and measure its various components. We conducted this study to determine if a smartphone video protocol could be used to improve the usability and reliability of the EVGS for daily use in a clinic setting.MethodsWe used a handheld smartphone camera with slow-motion video technology and a motion analysis application to record and measure the EVGS of 30 ambulatory children with spastic CP. We tested the inter- and intra-rater reliability of various components of the EVGS between two observers.ResultsAverage age was 7 years 3 months (range 4–14 years). The mean (range) EVGS scores for the trunk, pelvis, hip, knee, ankle, and foot were 1.18 (0–3), 0.68 (0–3), 1.1 (0–4), 3.95 (1.5–7.5), 1.87 (0–4) and 4.13 (2–6.5) respectively. Total score was 12.92 (7–21.5). The mean (SD) scores for Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels II and III were 10.73 (3.86) and 14.96 (4.2) (p < 0.001). The intra-observer and inter-observer reliability using percentage of complete agreement was 65–98.3% and 61.7–92.5% respectively, with kappa values ranging from 0.15 to 0.87. Reliability was more for distal limb segments as compared to proximal segments.ConclusionWe have described a simple and reliable method for quantitative OGA of children with CP, using smartphone video technology and motion analysis application, which can be performed by every clinician in an office setting.Level of EvidenceLevel III.     

A functional electrical stimulation system improves knee control in crouch gait

BackgroundCrouch gait is a major sagittal plane deviation in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). It is defined as a combination of excessive ankle dorsiflexion and knee and hip flexion throughout the stance phase. To the best of our knowledge, functional electrical stimulation (FES) has not been used to decrease the severity of crouch gait in CP subjects and assist in achieving lower limb extension.PurposeTo evaluate the short- and long-term effects of FES to the quadriceps muscles in preventing crouch gait and achieving ankle plantar flexion, knee and hip extension at the stance phase.MethodsAn 18-year-old boy diagnosed with CP diplegia [Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level II] was evaluated. The NESS L300^® Plus neuroprosthesis system provided electrical stimulation of the quadriceps muscle. A three-dimensional gait analysis was performed using an eight-camera system measuring gait kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters while the subject walked shod only, with ground reaction ankle foot orthotics (GRAFOs) and using an FES device.ResultsWalking with the FES device showed an increase in the patient’s knee extension at midstance and increased knee maximal extension at the stance phase. In addition, the patient was able to ascend and descend stairs with a “step-through” pattern immediately after adjusting the FES device.ConclusionsThis report suggests that FES to the quadriceps muscles may affect knee extension at stance and decrease crouch gait, depending on the adequate passive range of motion of the hip, knee extension, and plantar flexion. Further studies are needed in order to validate these results.     

周围神经侧侧吻合治疗痉挛性脑瘫初步报告

目的：用周围神经侧侧吻合术治疗肢体痉挛性脑瘫并探讨其机制。方法：对１６例肢体痉挛性脑瘫患者采用正常神经干与病变神经干的侧侧吻合术,即将支配痉挛肌群的主要神经干与相对正常的邻近神经干的近端显露出５～６ｃｍ后相互靠拢,切开两神经相邻面的神经外膜和束膜１～２ｃｍ,直至神经纤维裸露后相互紧密对合再吻合其束外膜。结果：经１０～３９个月（平均２４个月）的随访,所有患者的肢体痉挛、畸形均有明显的缓解,其中６例患     

Hip Displacement in Cerebral Palsy: The Role of Surveillance

IntroductionHip displacement is common in cerebral palsy (CP) and is related to the severity of neurological and functional impairment. It is a silent, but progressive disease, and can result in significant morbidity and decreased quality of life, if left untreated. The pathophysiology of hip displacement in CP is a combination of hip flexor-adductor muscle spasticity, abductor muscle weakness, and delayed weight-bearing, resulting in proximal femoral deformities and progressive acetabular dysplasia. Due to a lack of symptoms in the early stages of hip displacement, the diagnosis is easily missed. Awareness of this condition and regular surveillance by clinical examination and serial radiographs of the hips are the key to early diagnosis and treatment.Hip surveillance programmesSeveral population-based studies from around the world have demonstrated that universal hip surveillance in children with CP allows early detection of hip displacement and appropriate early intervention, with a resultant decrease in painful dislocations. Global hip surveillance models are based upon the patients’ age, functional level determined by the Gross Motor Function Classification system (GMFCS), gait classification, standardized clinical exam, and radiographic indices such as the migration percentage (MP), as critical indicators of progressive hip displacement.ConclusionDespite 25 years of evidence showing the efficacy of established hip surveillance programmes, there is poor awareness among healthcare professionals in India about the importance of regular hip surveillance in children with CP. There is a need for professional organizations to develop evidence-based guidelines for hip surveillance which are relevant to the Indian context.     

综合康复治疗对小儿脑瘫患者的疗效观察

目的探讨综合康复治疗对小儿脑瘫患者的治疗效果。方法 40例脑瘫患儿为对照组,使用运动治疗;40例脑瘫患儿为治疗组,采用综合康复治疗,比较两组患儿的康复效果。结果治疗组总有效率为91,对照组总有效率为81;两组患儿治疗后GMFM评分与治疗前相比均有提高（P〈0.05）;其中治疗后评分,治疗组高于对照组（P〈0.05）。结论对小儿脑瘫患者综合康复治疗较单一运动法治疗有更好疗效。     

Gait Analysis of Knee Arthritis Treated With Hyaluronic Acid

Self-reported studies have demonstrated efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HA) therapy. Gait analysis may objectively demonstrate changes associated with HA therapy. Fifty-three consecutive patients with unilateral osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee were evaluated with a validated and sensitive gait laboratory previously used for gonarthrosis. Two 100-meter walks were performed before and after HA therapy. Nineteen parameters were measured. In addition, the subjective response to treatment was correlated with changes in gait parameters. Single-limb support time, velocity, fatigability, and swing phase were not improved. Only double-limb support time was found to be significantly different (P = .04). The remaining gait variables were not changed. Separately, the subset of patients that achieved greater than 70% subjective pain relief had no objective improvements in gait parameters. Hyaluronic acid therapy may result in a placebo effect for the treatment of gonarthrosis.     

儿童脑性瘫痪尿流动力学特征及其临床意义

目的：探讨儿童脑性瘫痪尿流动力学特征及其临床意义。材料和方法：本组病例为采用选择性脊神经后根切断术的脑瘫儿童78例,术前1周内行尿流动力学检查。结果：25例（32．05％）脑瘫儿童合并下尿路症状,尿流动力学检查其中20例为上运动神经元损害、3例为混合型运动神经元损害、1例为单纯下运动神经元损害、1例正常;53例（67．95％）脑瘫儿童无下尿道临床症状,尿流动力学检查中35例（66．04％）膀胱总容量及顺应性下降、膀胱充盈压增加。结论：尿流动力学检查可明确脑瘫儿童下尿道症状的神经病学原因,同时发现无下尿道症状的脑瘫儿童中至少50％以上合并临床静止性膀胱功能障碍,符合SPR适应证的患儿应尽早行SPR术。     

Anterior Knee Pain in Patients with Cerebral Palsy

Background

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for anterior knee pain in patients with cerebral palsy.

Methods

This prospective study investigated the risk factors for anterior knee pain in 127 ambulatory patients with spastic cerebral palsy in terms of walking pain, resting pain, and provocative pain. Demographic data analysis and physical examination for measuring the knee flexion contracture and unilateral and bilateral popliteal angles were performed. Patellar height was measured on radiographs, and patella alta was identified. The risk factors for anterior knee pain were analyzed using multivariate analysis with a generalized estimating equation.

Results

Seventy-seven patients were found to have patella alta based on the radiographic measurements (60.6%). Overall, sixteen patients (12.6%) had either unilateral or bilateral anterior knee pain. Of these, 6 patients showed a visual analogue scale (VAS) ≤ 3, 9 patients showed 3 < VAS ≤ 7, and one patient showed a VAS > 7. Age was found to be a significant risk factor for walking pain and resting pain with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.14) and 1.09 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.15), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, knee flexion contracture was a significant protective factor with an OR of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.85 to 0.98).

Conclusions

Approximately 12.6% of ambulatory patients with spastic cerebral palsy were found to have anterior knee pain in our hospital-based cohort study. Age was found to be a significant risk factor for anterior knee pain while walking and resting.