Hip surveillance and management of the displaced hip in cerebral palsy

Introduction

This article provides an overview of the management of a displaced hip in children with cerebral palsy and considers surveillance programmes, principles of surgical reconstruction and options for the salvage of an unreconstructable hip in these children.

Conclusion

Hip dislocation in CP is potentially preventable if children are included from an early age in a surveillance programme that includes repeat radiographic and clinical examinations, and preventive treatment for hips that are displacing. A surveillance programme should be based on the child’s age, GMFCS level and migration percentage (MP), and surgical prevention may be considered in children with a MP exceeding 33 %.     

Recurrent hip instability after hip reconstruction in cerebral palsy children with spastic hip disease

BackgroundMigration percentage (MP) is widely used to evaluate hip stability in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Orthopedic surgeons need more objective information to make a proper hip reconstruction surgical plan and predict the outcome.MethodsMedical records and plain radiographs of children with CP who underwent the hip reconstruction procedure for dysplasia were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsIn total, 253 operated hips (140 patients; 11.7 ± 3.3 years old) were included in this study. MP at pre-operative (T_pre) was 35.3 ± 22.5%; at immediate follow-up (T_post) was 5.9 ± 9.5%; at last follow-up (T_final) was 9.8 ± 10.8% (4.5 ± 2.3 years post-operative at age 16.3 ± 2.8 years). In hips with Melbourne Cerebral Palsy Hip Classification Scale (MCPHCS) grade 3 (n = 78), around 30–45% had an unsatisfactory outcome at T_post and T_final. However, hips categorized as other grades showed only 2.1–9.1% of unsatisfactory outcome. In less affected hips (pre-operative MP<30%, n = 122), 109 hips (89.3%) had varus derotation osteotomy only, the other 13 hips (10.7%) were combined with a pelvic osteotomy. In more severely affected hips (pre-operative MP ≥ 30%, n = 131), 26 hips (19.8%) had varus derotation osteotomy only, the other 105 hips (80.2%) were combined with a pelvic osteotomy.ConclusionsHips with pre-operative MP between 15 and 29% (MCPHCS grades 3) can be a higher risk group of recurrent hip instability after hip reconstruction surgery. Multiple indications beyond MP should be considered when indicating pelvic osteotomy or hip muscle release as combined procedures with varus femoral osteotomy for hip reconstruction in this milder group to achieve a consistent long-term satisfactory outcome.     

Hip dysplasia in spastic cerebral palsy

Previous reports have noted a relationship between pelvic obliquity and hip dysplasia in spastic cerebral palsy but did not confirm its existence by scientific study. A study is reported that confirms the association of pelvic obliquity with hip dysplasia in spastic cerebral palsy. At presentation of subluxation or dislocation prior to surgery, 80 patients were indexed into five body alignment types. Reclassifications were performed with passage of time in order to study the natural history and effects of surgery. In all cases, hip dysplasia was found to be consistent with the forces related to pelvic obliquity.     

Appearance of spastic hip pain in cerebral palsy children]

Pain is a serious complication in the development of spastic dislocation of the hip joint, sometimes determining future of the patient, limiting the degree of his independence and comfort of his life. OBJECTIVES: Determination of 1. the frequency of appearance of lower limbs' pain among patients with subluxation and dislocation of the hip joint in the course of spastic form of cerebral palsy; 2. the influence of the surgical treatment on pain development. MATERIALS: We analysed 82 patients (126 spastic hips) treated between 1970 to 1995 with spastic form of cerebral palsy. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the degree of hip instability and the performed method of treatment. Group 1-41 patients (77 spastic hips) without neurogenic instability of hip (mean value of migration percentage (MP) - 25%), group II - 14 patients (19 hips) with untreated dislocation of hip (MP - 100%), group III- 25 patients (30 hips) with dislocation and subluxation of hips treated by open reduction combined with Dega's pelvic osteotomy and intertrochanteric varus osteotomy of femur. METHODS: Each patient underwent clinical and radiological evaluation of hips. We assessed the value of migration percentage according to Reimers. We adopted the scale of intensity of pain according to Barie: 1) no pain, 2) sporadic pains, 3) frequent pains retreating after administration of routine analgesic drugs, 4) frequent pains persisting after administration of typical analgesics. The evaluation of pains also comprised their localisation within the hip joint and the knee joint of the same limb (projected pains). RESULTS: Group I in 11.7% of hips occurred mild pain, in 20.8% light pain and in 67.5% pain didn't occur, there was no severe pain. In group II in 73.7% appeared severe and mild pain, in 10.5% light pain and in 15.8% pain didn't appear. In group III severe and mild pain occurred in 37%, light in 33% and no pain in 30%. In all groups appearance and severity of pain depends of the degree of hip dislocation (p < 0.01 to 0.001). Appearance and aggravation of hips' pain depends on the degree of decentration of the femur's head from the acetabulum, estimated by the migration percentage (MP). Treatment and prevention demands "aggressive" operative procedure to avoid expansion of the hip's pain. Surgery decreases the frequency and intensity of pain but doesn't make patient totally free from the risk of its appearance.     

Soft-tissue releases to treat spastic hip subluxation in children with cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND: Spastic hip subluxation and dislocation are common problems in children with cerebral palsy. Soft-tissue releases have proved to be beneficial in the prevention of spastic hip dislocation. A protocol for treatment based on patient age, hip abduction, and hip migration percentage was established in 1988. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome in sixty-five children treated according to this protocol and followed for a minimum of eight years. METHODS: The medical records and radiographs of sixty-five children, from an original series of seventy-four patients, who met the inclusion criteria were available for review. Forty-seven children had spastic quadriplegia and were unable to walk; eighteen children had spastic diplegia and were able to walk independently or with assistive devices. The mean age at the time of the surgery was 4.4 years. Open adductor tenotomy and psoas muscle recession or iliopsoas tenotomy were performed on 129 hips, which were followed for a mean of 10.8 years. The mean age at the time of follow-up was fifteen years. Hips were grouped according to the hip migration percentage preoperatively, at one year postoperatively, and at the time of final follow-up. The final outcome for the patient was defined according to the worse hip. An analysis was performed to identify potential factors influencing outcome. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (49%) had a good result, eleven (17%) had a fair result, three (4%) had a poor result, and nineteen (30%) had a failure. The mean hip migration percentage was 34% preoperatively and 18% at the time of final follow-up. Nineteen patients required subsequent osseous reconstructive procedures, and eleven required repeat soft-tissue releases. The migration percentage at one year postoperatively was the most predictive of the final outcome (p = 0.001). Patients who had been able to walk preoperatively had a better long-term outcome (p = 0.01). Neither the preoperative hip migration percentage nor the age at surgery significantly affected the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Soft-tissue release was effective for long-term prevention of hip dislocation in 67% (forty-three) of sixty-five children with spastic hip subluxation. Two preoperative factors that were related to a favorable outcome were a spastic diplegic pattern of involvement and the ability to walk. The hip migration percentage at one year postoperatively was a good predictor of final outcome.     

Utility of combined hip abduction angle for hip surveillance in children with cerebral palsy

Background:

Spontaneous hip lateralization complicates the management of non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP). It can be diagnosed early using radiographs, but it involves standardization of positioning and exposure to radiation. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the utility of Combined hip abduction angle (CHAA) in the clinical setting to identify those children with CP who were at greater risk to develop spontaneous progressive hip lateralization.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred and three children (206 hips) with CP formed our study population. There were 48 boys and 55 girls aged 2–11 years (mean 5.03 years). 61 children were Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level 5, while 42 were GMFCS level 4. Clinical measurements of CHAA were statistically correlated with radiographic measurements of Reimer''s migration percentage (MP) for bivariate associations using χ² and t tests.

Results:

CHAA is evaluated against MP which is considered as a reliable measure of hip subluxation. Thus, for CHAA, sensitivity was 74.07% and specificity was 67.35%. False-positive rate was 32.65% and false-negative rate was 25.93%.

Conclusions:

Our study shows that correlation exists between CHAA and MP, which has been proved to be useful for hip screening in CP children at risk of hip dislocation. CHAA is an easy, rapid, cost-effective clinical test which can be performed by paraclinical health practitioners (physiotherapists) and orthopedic surgeons.     

A systematic review of the evidence for hip surveillance in children with cerebral palsy

We reviewed the evidence for hip surveillance in children with cerebral palsy from the published literature. Publications were identified using the Cochrane controlled trials register, the MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases and by hand searching key journals and their references. Studies were included if they reported the frequency, associated risk factors or surveillance measures undertaken to identify subluxation or dislocation of the hip in children with cerebral palsy. Assessment of the quality of the methodology was undertaken independently by two researchers. Four studies described the natural history, incidence and risk factors for dislocation of the hip. Two reported their surveillance results. Approximately 60% of children who were not walking by five years of age were likely to develop subluxation of the hip, with the greatest risk in those with severe neurological involvement. The introduction of surveillance programmes allowed earlier identification of subluxation and reduced the need for surgery on dislocated hips. Surveillance can identify children most at risk of subluxation using radiological methods which are widely available.     

Hip dislocation in spastic cerebral palsy: long-term consequences

We evaluated 38 noninstitutionalized patients with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy with 51 dislocated hips. Nine hips had been reduced. The mean follow-up was 18 years, with an average age of 26 years. At follow-up, four were ambulatory with aids. Patients who could walk had normal intelligence and a level pelvis. In patients with 18 unreduced unilateral hip dislocations, pelvic obliquity and scoliosis were present in 12. In seven patients with reduced unilateral hip dislocations, similar findings were present in only two patients. Half of the dislocated hips were painful. Based on these findings, we recommend reduction of unilateral dislocations. Bilateral dislocations may benefit from reduction if treatment is undertaken before significant adaptive deformity of the femoral head occurs.     

Pharmacologic management of the spastic and dystonic upper limb in children with cerebral palsy

Spasticity or dystonia of the upper limb in children with CP commonly is seen as part of a more involved clinical picture. Each can cause functional problems in and can interfere with the quality of life of children with CP. Pharmacologic manipulation of the spasticity and dystonia requires a patient and ordered approach. Treatment often is performed using an open trial method, with medications introduced slowly but often being limited in their usefulness by significant side effects. Despite multiple medications being available for spasticity and dystonia management, few of the oral treatments have been assessed systematically in children with CP. Specific evaluation of the use of enteral medications in upper limb management is even rarer.     

Short-term results of musculotendinous release for paralytic hip subluxation in children with spastic cerebral palsy

INTRODUCTION

Children with paralytic hip subluxation secondary to spastic cerebral palsy were treated with a standard protocol that depended on early detection of the subluxation using clinical examination detecting limited range of hip abduction of ≤ 30° and anteroposterior pelvis radiographs detecting subluxation ≥ 33% migration as indications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients underwent open adductor longus, proximal gracilis and proximal rectus femoris myotomy, and iliopsoas lengthening with immediate postoperative immobilisation in abduction bar for 3 weeks followed by physiotherapy. The protocol was applied to 50 children with a mean age of 3.6 years with 100 hips surgically corrected. Of these hips initially, 52% were mildly subluxated with ≤ 33% migration, 42% were moderately subluxated with > 33–66% migration, and 6% were severely subluxated with > 66% migration.

RESULTS

At a final postoperative follow-up of at least 24 months, 22% of these hips were classified as excellent with full containment and no migration, 54% were good with < 20% migration, and 24% were fair with 20–25% migration. No poor result with > 25% migration was obtained. No child developed an abduction contracture or wide-based gait that required treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Early detection and application of this treatment algorithm for children with spastic hip disease should have satisfactory outcomes. Longer follow-up will be required to determine how many children will need bony reconstruction to maintain stable containment of hips at maturity.     

High reoperation rates after early treatment of the subluxating hip in children with spastic cerebral palsy

Hip subluxation and dislocation are well-recognized complications of spastic cerebral palsy. Alternatives for treatment include observation, bracing, or surgery. The purpose of this study is to compare the rates of reoperation and acetabular development after early soft tissue procedures with those of varus derotational osteotomies performed to maintain reduced hips in severely involved children. A series of 60 patients with spastic cerebral palsy and hip subluxation younger than 6 years who underwent primary bilateral hip surgery at one hospital between 1980 and 1996, with a minimum of 4 years of follow-up, were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-two patients had spastic tetraplegia and 47 were nonambulators. Measures of proximal femoral and acetabular development were made via radiographic analysis. Twenty-two patients underwent primary bilateral soft tissue procedures. At a mean 6-year follow-up, there was modest improvement seen in mean femoral head coverage and little improvement seen in mean indices of acetabular development. Seventeen of these 22 patients (77%) underwent reoperation. Thirty-eight patients underwent primary bilateral varus derotational osteotomies. At a mean follow-up of 5 years, there was also modest improvement noted in mean femoral head coverage with little change in the mean indices of acetabular development. Twenty-eight of these 38 patients (74%) underwent reoperation. In this population of severely involved patients with spastic cerebral palsy, the reoperation rate was high. Acetabular remodeling did not reliably occur as a result of either early soft tissue or proximal femoral procedures when performed at an average age of 4 years.     

Correlation between muscle shortening and derangement of the hip joint in children with spastic cerebral palsy

From clinical studies on hip derangement and measurement of muscle shortening around the hip joint in 244 patients with spastic cerebral palsy, we found that the incidence of subluxation was 17.0% and that of dislocation was 8.2%; there was no dislocation in ambulatory spastics and the incidence of hip derangement was high in non-ambulatory patients; significant shortening of the adductors was closely correlated with hip derangement; the combination of damaged flexors, hamstrings and adductors led to hip derangement; surgical intervention in the adductors, the flexors (particularly the iliopsoas muscle) and the hamstrings should be considered in the treatment of advanced hip derangement in patients with cerebral palsy.     

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.     

痉挛型脑性瘫痪外科治疗专家共识

我国脑瘫的发病人数每年不少于600万,其治疗也是当今医学的难点之一。痉挛型脑瘫作为脑瘫中最主要的类型,一直是医学研究的热点。脑瘫的外科治疗已经过30余年的发展,鉴于国内脑瘫外科的治疗现状,并征求部分专家们的意见和建议,目前亟需一个规范脑瘫外科治疗的专家共识用于指导临床。受中国康复医学会骨与关节分会的委托,我们组织骨科、神经外科、矫形外科、小儿骨科、显微外科、康复医学科以及麻醉科、护理等各领域的相关专家起草了《痉挛型脑瘫外科治疗专家共识》。     

Acquired atlantoaxial instability in children with spastic cerebral palsy

The development of nontraumatic atlantoaxial instability in children with spastic cerebral palsy has not been reported. The authors present three patients with severe spastic quadriplegia who developed C1-C2 instability and cervical myelopathy at mean age 12.6 years. These patients demonstrated a similar clinical picture with symptoms attributed to cervical myelopathy in varied severity including apneic episodes, opisthotonus, alteration in muscle tone, torticollis, respiratory problems, hyperreflexia, and bradycardia. Patient 1 was scheduled for surgery but died due to an apneic episode. Patient 2 refused surgery and has been followed for 3 years while his neurologic condition remains unchanged. Patient 3 underwent occipitocervical decompression and fusion, recovered neurologically, and resumed his previous functional skills. Patients demonstrating considerable functional deterioration or insidious change in their established neurologic status should undergo detailed screening to rule out developing upper cervical instability. Early surgical intervention consisting of spinal decompression and fusion may prevent the development of myelopathy.     

Hip displacement in spastic cerebral palsy: repeatability of radiologic measurement

Radiologic measures of migration percentage (MP) and acetabular index (AI) taken from plain radiographs of the pelvis are the most commonly used tools for determining hip displacement and management options in children with cerebral palsy and spastic hip disease. This study determined interrater and intrarater reliability of MP and AI on pelvic radiographs chosen to represent a wide range of age (11 months to 8 years 5 months), MP (0%-56%), and AI (9 degrees -33 degrees ). The study demonstrated that an experienced rater would be expected to measure MP on a single radiograph to within +/-5.8% of the true value and a change in MP between two radiographs taken at different times to within +/-8.3% of the true value. Similarly for AI, the measurement error for a typical rater would be within +/-2.6 degrees on a single reading and +/-3.7 degrees if recording change between two occasions. The authors believe that the results indicating true change are acceptable in clinical practice, provided treatment decisions are based on a series of radiographs taken at 6-month intervals, methods and training are standardized, and consistent raters are used.     

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.