Hip changes in infantile cerebral palsy

Dislocation of the hip associated with cerebral motor disturbances differs considerably from that in children with normal motor activity. In patients with such disturbances ist is a relatively common and often serious complication. It occurs at an age when there are not usually any clear spastic signs, merely hypotonia with reflex-like movement patterns. Early dislocation is marked by early onset of acetabular dysplasia. In the final analysis, hip dislocation associated with cerebral motor disturbances is attributable to a more or less constant muscle imbalance. The prognosis for hip development is poor if there is an early tendency toward flexion and adduction postures and the course of general motor development is unfavorable. The classification proposed by T?nnis and Brunken (1968) is used for radiological assessment. The primary goal of therapy is to prevent further decentration of the hip joint. Therefore, physiotherapy plays the most important role in early treatment of impending dislocation. All other therapeutic measures are secondary to this.     

Musculotendinous alloplasty in patients with infantile cerebral palsy

A special alloplastic material was used in 20 patients aged from 7 to 16 for substituting or making up a deficient function of muscles, ligaments and tendons after preliminary elimination of all fixed contractures and deformities. A conclusion is made of the application of the special alloplastic material not only for patients with infantile cerebral paralysis but also in other aspects of surgery especially for children.     

Release of flexors and intrinsic muscles for finger spasticity in cerebral palsy

Between April 1987 and March 1996, 32 deformed hands of 31 patients with cerebral palsy were treated with combined release of the flexor digitorum profundus, flexor digitorum superficialis, and intrinsic muscles. Of these 31 patients, 26 patients (27 hands) were followed up after treatment. Improvements were evaluated by the modified classification of Zancolli et al, the classification of House et al, the object handling score, and the activity of daily living score. Improvements of more than one level on an average were observed in the modified classification of Zancolli et al and the classification of House et al. The ability to grasp, pinch, and release increased with improvement of 2.5 points in the object handling score, and activities of daily living were enhanced with improvement of 2.4 points. The fine motor skills could be facilitated, and dexterity was restored in most patients.     

The psoas muscle as cause of low back pain in infantile cerebral palsy

Psoas muscle spasticity is hypothesised as a rare cause of low back pain in patients with infantile cerebral palsy. The authors describe a new manoeuvre for the study of psoas tenderness and ultrasound (US)-guided transabdominal botulinum toxin injection technique. A possible causal relationship between psoas tension and low back pain was found incidentally in two examined cases. In subsequent patients, botulinum toxin was injected and, in cases of disappearance of symptoms, the psoas tendon was sectioned at the pelvic brim with definitive disappearance of pain. The relationship between psoas tension and low back pain in patients with infantile cerebral palsy seems likely, given the result in the four patients.     

Postoperative infections and wound healing disorders in patients with infantile cerebral palsy]

As part of a retrospective study including 569 patients with ICP and a group of 405 controls, the risk of postoperative wound healing disorders and wound infections was investigated in surgically treated children with cerebral palsy. The higher rate of wound healing disorders in ICP patients could not be attributed to factors such as excessively long duration of operation, secondary interventions, or a high number of interventions per operation. Rather, the causes of the increased risk of infection have to be seen in connection with the symptoms of ICP itself, such as immunological weakness, increased tendency to sweat, reduced circulation in the affected extremity and disturbances of sensitivity and perception. A direct link between these parameters and increased risk of postoperative infection can only be established by prospective studies.     

Surgical treatment concepts of deformities of the upper extremities in infantile cerebral palsy]

To correct the most frequent deformity of the spastic hand, muscle release and transfer operations, such as distal slide of hand and finger flexors (according to Scaglietti and G?b), release of the adductor pollicis and flexor pollicis brevis muscle (Matev), and transposition of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle to the dorsal aspect of the hand, should be performed. These basic operations on the spastic hand can be supplemented by release or transposition of additional muscles of the fingers or hand. Bony procedures should be done to stabilize and augment the grip between thumb and second finger. In selected cases arthrodesis of the wrist can be performed to stabilize the hand in a functional position. The outcome of operations on the spastic hand depends on the application of correct indications as well as on postoperative physiotherapy. A slight functional gain, or even a purely cosmetic improvement, may mean a lot to the patient. In respect of professional rehabilitation of adolescents, operative correction of a deformed hand can help to improve manual skills and thereby increase job chances.