Auditory biofeedback in spastic diplegia

Using a simple auditory feedback device that produces a continuous buzzing signal on heel contact, we studied the effects of augmented auditory biofeedback on the gait of four spastic diplegic children. The purpose of the biofeedback was to attempt to increase dorsiflexion at heel strike without causing other compensatory changes at the knee and hip, which might lead to crouch gait. We measured velocity, stride length, and thigh, knee, and ankle angles at the heel strike, midswing, and toe-off phases of gait. Four subjects, aged 5-8 years, were given a standard gait training program, supplemented with biofeedback two times per week in a clinical setting and 1 h daily in a home program over an 8-week period. Three computer video gait analyses of the sagittal plane were conducted without biofeedback in the pre- and posttraining conditions and twice with biofeedback over the course of treatment. We performed linear regression analysis of joint angles at heel strike, midswing, and toe-off as a function of days into the study for each patient. Angle-angle diagrams for a test subject before, during, and after treatment indicate changes toward a normal gait pattern with biofeedback. The linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant (p less than 0.01) shift toward dorsiflexion at heel strike with repeated exposure to biofeedback. A compensatory crouch gait was not induced. The linear regression analyses for hip and knee angles were not statistically significant (p greater than 0.25), indicating a disassociation of movement among hip, knee, and ankle.     

Sagittal gait patterns in spastic diplegia

Classifications of gait patterns in spastic diplegia have been either qualitative, based on clinical recognition, or quantitative, based on cluster analysis of kinematic data. Qualitative classifications have been much more widely used but concerns have been raised about the validity of classifications, which are not based on quantitative data. We have carried out a cross-sectional study of 187 children with spastic diplegia who attended our gait laboratory and devised a simple classification of sagittal gait patterns based on a combination of pattern recognition and kinematic data. We then studied the evolution of gait patterns in a longitudinal study of 34 children who were followed for more than one year and demonstrated the reliability of our classification.     

Treatment of spastic diplegia in patients with cerebral palsy

Appropriate treatment, which includes orthopaedic surgery, physical and occupational therapy, recreational therapy, orthotics, and utilization of assistive devices, will improve the functional outcomes of children with cerebral palsy. Medical modalities such as intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin, and constant intrathecal administration of Baclofen via an implanted pump may also be of benefit. There is a defined set of orthopaedic surgical procedures that can enhance function, and the challenge for the surgeon is to identify which combination of procedures is appropriate for each individual patient and at what point during development to implement them. Some surgeons prefer to wait until patients are older (8-10 years) and perform all of their surgical interventions in one sitting. We, however, favor a different approach wherein surgical procedures are done as indicated during childhood development to enhance function and allow further improvement of motor skills. We refer to this approach as 'Staged Multilevel Interventions in the Lower Extremity' or 'SMILE'. This paper will discuss the rationale for this approach and our recommendations regarding the indications and timing of surgical interventions, as well as techniques and outcomes as reported in the literature.     

内侧腘绳肌延长术对双侧痉挛性脑瘫下肢肌肉长度的影响

目的 观察内侧胭绳肌延长术对双测痉挛性脑瘫下肢肌肉长度的影响.方法 将双测痉挛性脑瘫患者分为两组,一组为髂腰肌组5例(10侧肢体),即内侧胭绳肌延长,股直肌远端转位加髂腰肌延长术.另一组为非髂腰肌组5例(10侧肢体),即内侧胭绳肌延长,股直肌远端转位术.利用计算机模拟骨肌肉步态模型技术,选择性计算术后下肢相关肌肉的肌肉长度,并对比分析.结果 髂腰肌组中患者的股二头肌长头肌肉长度,在步态周期中的平均值、最小值和总长度分别为0.5000±0.0080、0.4800±0.0059、50.8600±0.8084,明显长于非髂腰肌组患者(P＜0.05).股二头肌短头肌肉长度最小值在步态周期中所出现的时间(81.6700±4.3221)%GC,较非髂腰肌组患者(75.1300±1.8851)%GC明显延迟(P＜0.01),半腱肌和半膜肌肌肉长度最小值在步态周期中出现的时间分别为(72.6700±3.0768)%Gc和(73.0000±3.6332)%GC,较非髂腰肌组出现的时间(68.500±1.5119)%Gc和(68.1300±1.5526)%Gc明显延迟(P＜0.05).结论 屈髋肌挛缩组患者在施行内侧胭绳肌延长、股直肌远端转位和髂腰肌延长术后,出现胭绳肌功能不全模型的原因,是由于外侧腘肌肌肉长度较长和内侧腘绳肌肌肉长度相对较长.     

One-session surgery for bilateral correction of lower limb deformities in spastic diplegia

Fifty-seven patients with spastic diplegia underwent one-stage bilateral proximal soft tissue release for correction of lower limb deformities. The indications for surgery were improvement of gait and posture and facilitation of toilet care. Significant improvement in ambulatory status followed operation, and most parents were pleased.     

Physical therapeutic and surgical management in spastic diplegia. A Japanese experience

With the development of intensive neonatal care, spastic diplegia associated with prematurity has become the most common type of cerebral palsy. The principles of the present authors' treatment for children with the disease are physical therapy (involving neurodevelopmental treatment) and surgical treatment for contractures and deformities. The authors studied the long-term results of physical therapy and its effect on the necessity for surgery and the improvement of locomotor function. From 1973 to 1988, 355 children with spastic diplegia were treated at the authors' facility. From this group, the authors selected and studied 71 children who received systematic treatment for a minimum of one year and who could be followed at the age of six years or older. At the follow-up examination, 41 of these children were free ambulators, 28 were crutch ambulators, and two were not ambulatory. Of the 41 freely ambulatory children, four achieved free ambulation after the age of seven years. Of the 28 crutch ambulators, relatively small hip-flexion contractures were found in 11 children who had received the early developmental treatment program.     

Treatment of spastic diplegia in patients with cerebral palsy: Part II

This review article describes the evaluation, treatment options, and expected outcomes for many of the common deformities of the lower extremities in patients with cerebral palsy. The evaluation tools including gait analysis will be applied to each specific deformity. Dynamic components are addressed with spasticity management and appropriate muscle and tendon procedures. The static components are treated with bony procedures, including various osteotomies and arthrodesis, incorporating biomechanical principles.     

Severe crouch gait in spastic diplegia can be prevented: a population-based study

We studied the prevalence of severe crouch gait over a 15-year period in a defined population of children with spastic diplegia and Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II and III, to determine if there had been a decrease following changes to the management of equinus gait. These changes were replacing observational with three-dimensional gait analysis, replacing single level with multilevel surgery, and replacing gastrocsoleus lengthening with gastrocnemius recession. Of 464 children and adolescents with spastic diplegia who underwent three-dimensional gait analysis, 27 had severe crouch gait. Seventeen of these had been managed by isolated lengthening of the gastrocsoleus. Following changes in the management of equinus gait, the prevalence of severe crouch gait decreased from 25% and stabilised at a significantly lower rate, fluctuating between 0% and 4% annually (p < 0.001). We conclude that severe crouch gait in this population was precipitated by isolated lengthening of the gastrocsoleus. These findings may be relevant to other surgical populations, as severe crouch gait may be a useful way to monitor the quality of the surgical management of abnormal gait in children with cerebral palsy and spastic diplegia.     

改良手术治疗脑瘫痉挛性双侧下肢瘫

[目的]2004年以来对重症脑瘫痉挛性双侧瘫治疗方法进行改进,探索提高其治疗效果的方法.[方法]23例重症脑瘫痉挛性双侧瘫.男14例,女9例;年龄3～12岁,平均5.7岁;主要症状不能独自站立和行走,双下肢肌紧张,家长扶持站立,双下肢呈剪刀步态,双髋、膝关节屈曲,踝关节跖屈,双足马蹄内翻畸形,足尖着地行走.体格检查双髂腰肌、内收肌、腘绳肌、小腿三头肌、胫前肌、胫后肌、(足母)长屈肌、趾长屈肌部分或多数不同程度肌张力增高.依Ashworth分级,为3～4级.治疗方法对动态性肌痉挛,采用肌内肌腱切断或肌筋膜切断;对静态性肌痉挛行肌腱滑动延长,胫前肌腱劈开外侧1/2移位.然后用自制外固定器矫形固定,保持膝关节伸直,双踝、足中立位,双下肢外展30°,6周后去除外固定康复训练.[结果]本组病例随访1～3年,平均2.2年.优良21例,有效2例.[结论]严重脑瘫痉挛性双侧瘫,一期多关节软组织松解,肌力平衡,外固定矫形,术后配合家庭长期康复训练,是一种有效的治疗方法.     

Ankle and knee coupling in patients with spastic diplegia: effects of gastrocnemius-soleus lengthening

BACKGROUND: Empirical observations of subjects with an equinus gait have suggested that there is coupled motion between the ankle and knee such that, during single-limb stance, the ankle moves into equinus as the knee extends. Since the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle-tendon unit spans both joints, we hypothesized that this muscle-tendon unit may be responsible for the coupling and that lengthening of the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle alone would result in greater ankle dorsiflexion as well as greater knee extension in single-limb stance, effectively uncoupling these joints. The concept that gastrocnemius-soleus lengthening may promote knee extension is counter to the popular notion that crouch gait may result if the hamstrings are not lengthened concomitantly. METHODS: A retrospective review identified thirty-four subjects with specific kinematic characteristics of equinus gait, and their gait was compared with that of normal children. Of the thirty-four subjects, eleven (twenty-two limbs) subsequently underwent isolated midcalf lengthening of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles with use of a recession technique. Gait analysis including joint kinematics and joint kinetics, electromyography, and physical examination were performed to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: We found that, unlike the normal subjects, the patients with an equinus gait pattern had a positive correlation (r = 0.7) between ankle and knee motion during single-limb stance. As hypothesized, ankle plantar flexion occurred while the knee moved into extension during single-limb stance. Calculations of the lengths of the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle-tendon units showed them to be short throughout the gait cycle (p < 0.0001). After gastrocnemius-soleus recession, peak ankle dorsiflexion (p < 0.001) and peak ankle power (p < 0.001) shifted to occur later in stance than they did in the preoperative gait cycle. Furthermore, the magnitude of peak power increased (p < 0.001) in late stance despite the added length of the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle-tendon unit. The electromyographic amplitude of the gastrocnemius-soleus was reduced during loading (p < 0.02), and this finding, together with the kinetic changes, suggested that muscle tension was reduced. Changes at the knee were less pronounced but included greater knee extension at foot contact (p < 0.01). No increase in the knee flexion angle or extension moment occurred in midstance after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with an equinus gait pattern function with a shortened gastrocnemius-soleus muscle-tendon unit, and this results in coupled motion between the ankle and knee during single-limb stance. Lengthening, with use of a recession technique, shifted ankle power generation and dorsiflexion to a later time in stance with no tendency to increase midstance knee flexion. Knee extension did increase at foot contact, but excessive midstance knee flexion persisted and was likely due to concomitant contracture of the hamstrings.     

Long-term outcome of hamstring lengthening versus transfer and the role of biceps femoris lengthening in patients with spastic diplegia and dynamic knee flexion in gait

Background:Orthopedic treatment of flexed-knee gait consists of hamstring lengthening along with surgery at other levels. Transfer of the semitendinosus (hamstring transfer) was introduced to avoid increase of anterior pelvic tilt as well as reduce risk of recurrence.Methods:We retrospectively assessed children with spastic cerebral palsy and flexed-knee gait pre-operatively, 1 year post-operatively, and at a minimum of 7 years post-operatively.Results:The 39 patients were a mean 9.4 ± 3.4 years at the time of surgery, 20 subjects underwent hamstring transfer, and 19 subjects had hamstring lengthening with mean follow-up 9.1 years. Passive range of motion improved initially, but regressed at long term. Dynamic minimum knee flexion in stance decreased in both groups at the first post-operative study, and was maintained at final follow-up in 64-67% of patients. There was a small increase in anterior pelvic tilt at the 1-year follow-up which subsequently decreased to less than pre-operative in the hamstring lengthening group but remained mildly increased (5°) in the hamstring transfer group at final follow-up. Success in correcting stance knee flexion of the entire group was 69% of the Gross Motor Function Classification System grades I and II and 60% of the Gross Motor Function Classification System grade III subjects. Gait profile Score and sagittal knee Gait Variable Score both showed clinically important improvement after surgery and was mostly maintained long term for both groups. Lateral hamstring lengthening was beneficial in more severe patients, with minimal risk of adverse effects.Conclusion:Hamstring surgery as part of single event multi-level surgery (SEMLS) is effective in correcting flexed-knee gait in 60%–70% of patients with minimal effect on anterior pelvic tilt. There was no added advantage to hamstring transfer. Biceps Femoris lengthening may be beneficial and without significant additional risk.Level of evidence:level III.     

Multilevel surgery in spastic diplegia: evaluation by physical examination and gait analysis in 25 children

Gait improvement surgery was performed on 25 ambulatory children with the diplegic type of cerebral palsy. Multiple soft tissue and bony procedures were performed (mean 8.2 procedures) according to criteria defined on the basis of physical examination and gait analysis. Relevant physical examination findings and kinematic and kinetic data in the sagittal plane were evaluated before surgery and at least 3 years after surgery. Physical examination showed a reduction in the ankle plantar-flexor power and in the range of hip flexion and ankle plantarflexion after surgery. Analysis of gait data showed significant improvements in the sagittal plane kinematics and the power generation at the hip and the ankle. At the knee joint there was maintenance of power of the flexor and extensor group of muscles on physical examination, with significant improvements in the kinematics after surgery. The authors conclude that well-selected surgery improves function of the spastic muscle. The importance of assessing clinical, kinematic, and kinetic data together for proper evaluation of gait is stressed.     

关节外距下关节固定术治疗痉挛性双瘫扁平足临床疗效分析

目的：介绍应用关节外距下关节固定术治疗痉挛性双肢瘫患儿扁平外翻足畸形的手术指征和方法,对临床疗效及结果作出评价,并讨论其矫正机制和矫形效果。方法2011年4月至2013年6月我科采用关节外距下关节固定术技术治疗痉挛性双肢瘫患儿28例（46足）,并根据畸形的程度给予相应的软组织重建手术。术后根据美国足踝外科协会（American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, AOFAS）踝-后足功能评分,从疼痛、功能、对线三方面评价患儿临床效果,同时观察患儿足外翻的影像学指数的改变,比较前后位片距骨-第一跖骨角和距跟角,正侧位距骨-第一跖骨角（Meary角）、跟骨倾斜角和跟骨-第一跖骨角（Hibbs’角）的变化。结果所有患儿术后平均随访2年8个月,所有患儿骨性愈合并且畸形没有复发。采用AOFAS踝-后足功能评分标准评价临床结果,平均得分88分,28足优,18足良。影像学评价测定术前及术后随访时足负重前后位的距跟角、正侧位Meary角及Hibbs’角比较,差异均有统计学意义（均P<0.05）。结论关节外距下关节固定术治疗痉挛性双肢瘫患儿扁平外翻足畸形疗效确切,后足外翻术后的指数和距下关节稳定性得到明显改善。目前本研究仅为中短期的观察,还需要长期的随访观察。     

Calcaneal gait in spastic diplegia after heel cord lengthening: a study with gait analysis

Calcaneal gait or deformity can be a significant complication after heel cord lengthening. After heel cord lengthening, 20 children with spastic diplegia were evaluated by gait analysis to define calcaneal gait objectively and describe associated morbidity. Mean age was 5 years 2 months (range 2 years 7 months to 8 years 2 months), and mean length of follow-up was 5 years 8 months (range 1 years 1 month 11 year 3 months). Calcaneal gait was defined as dorsiflexion 1 SD beyond the mean in the sagittal plane for all phases of stance. Increased ankle dorsiflexion during mid-stance most accurately predicts calcaneal gait. Through gait analysis, a 30% (6 of 20) prevalence of calcaneal gait suggests that an increased incidence of calcaneal gait may be present after heel cord lengthening.     

Conversion of biarticular to monoarticular muscles as a component of multilevel surgery in spastic diplegia

We treated 20 children (40 limbs) with diplegic cerebral palsy who could walk by multilevel soft tissue operative procedures including conversion of the biarticular semitendinosus and gastrocnemius to monoarticular muscles. The mean age at surgery was 11.5 years (5.6 to 17.0). All patients underwent clinical and radiological examination and three-dimensional instrumented gait analysis before and at a mean of 3.1 years (2.0 to 4.5) after surgery. The passive range of movement at the ankle, knee and hip showed improvement at follow-up. Kinematic parameters indicated a reduced pelvic range of movement and improvement of extension of the knee in single stance after operation (p < 0.0001). However, post-operative back-kneeing was detected in five of the 40 limbs. The kinetic studies showed that the power of the hamstrings and plantar flexors of the ankle was maintained while the maximum knee extensor moment during stance was reduced. The elimination of knee flexor activity of semitendinosus and gastrocnemius combined with transfer of distal rectus femoris led to an improvement in gait as confirmed by gait analysis.     

Correction of severe crouch gait in patients with spastic diplegia with use of multilevel orthopaedic surgery

BACKGROUND: Severe crouch gait in patients with spastic diplegia causes excessive loading of the patellofemoral joint and may result in anterior knee pain, gait deterioration, and progressive loss of function. Multilevel orthopaedic surgery has been used to correct severe crouch gait, but no cohort studies or long-term results have been reported, to our knowledge. METHODS: In order to be eligible for the present retrospective cohort study, a patient had to have a severe crouch gait, as defined by sagittal plane kinematic data, that had been treated with multilevel orthopaedic surgery as well as a complete clinical, radiographic, and instrumented gait analysis assessment. The surgical intervention consisted of lengthening of contracted muscle-tendon units and correction of osseous deformities, followed by the use of ground-reaction ankle-foot orthoses until stable biomechanical realignment of the lower limbs during gait was achieved. Outcome at one and five years after surgery was determined with use of selected sagittal plane kinematic and kinetic parameters and valid and reliable scales of functional mobility. Knee pain was recorded with use of a Likert scale, and all patients had radiographic examination of the knees. RESULTS: Ten subjects with severe crouch gait and a mean age of 12.0 years at the time of surgery were studied. After surgery, the patients walked in a more extended posture, with increased extension at the hip and knee and reduced dorsiflexion at the ankle. Pelvic tilt increased, and normalized walking speed was unaltered. Knee pain was diminished, and patellar fractures and avulsion injuries healed. Improvements in functional mobility were found, and, at the time of the five-year follow-up, fewer patients required the use of wheelchairs or crutches in the community than had been the case prior to intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Multilevel orthopaedic surgery for older children and adolescents with severe crouch gait is effective for relieving stress on the knee extensor mechanism, reducing knee pain, and improving function and independence.     

Posterior tibial tendon transfer in spastic equinovarus

Summary Twenty-eight posterior tibial tendon transfers through the interosseous membrane were performed to correct spastic equinovarus. All patients improved their gait, and 82% discarded their brace. Foot striking at the beginning of the stance phase was good or satisfactory in 82%; 68% had a neutral position of the heel. The overall score was good in 68%, satisfactory in 21%, and poor in 11%. The main requirements for obtaining good results with this type of transfer are: no fixed varus deformity preoperatively, age at operation between 5 and 10 years, and reinsertion near the midline of the foot.