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Qualitative Versus Quantitative Radiographic Analysis of Foot Deformities in Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy.
Westberry DE, Davids JR, Roush TF, Pugh LI. J Pediatr Orthop. 2008 April/May;28(3):359-365.
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BACKGROUND:: Qualitative assessments of standing plain radiographs are frequently used to determine treatment strategies and assess outcomes for the management of a wide range of foot and ankle conditions in children. A quantitative technique for such analyses would presumably be more precise and reliable. The goal of this study was to compare qualitative and quantitative techniques for the assessment of plain radiographs of the foot and ankle in children with hemiplegic type cerebral palsy (CP).
METHODS:: Standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the foot and ankle of the involved side for 49 children with hemiplegic CP were analyzed qualitatively by 2 pediatric orthopaedists, based upon a 3-segment (hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot) foot model. Quantitative assessment of the same radiographs was performed by 2 examiners, using 6 radiographic measurements developed to describe the alignment of the foot based upon the same 3-segment model. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability was determined for both the qualitative and the quantitative techniques. The qualitative and quantitative techniques were compared to determine agreement.
RESULTS:: The qualitative technique demonstrated poor-to-fair interobserver reliability (percent agreement range, 23%-31%; weighted kappa range, 0.291-0.568). The quantitative technique demonstrated good-to-excellent intraobserver (correlation coefficient range, 0.81-0.99) and interobserver (correlation coefficient range, 0.81-0.97) reliability. Percent agreement between the quantitative and the qualitative techniques for the assessment of foot segmental alignment for each examiner ranged from 22.2% to 100% (mean agreement for examiner 1 was 51% [correlation coefficient range, 0.04-0.48]; mean agreement for examiner 2 was 65.3% [correlation coefficient range, 0.22-0.85]). Percent agreement between the quantitative technique and both observers ranged from 11.1% to 83.3% (mean agreement was 36.7% [correlation coefficient range, 0.17-0.94]).
DISCUSSION:: Reliable quantitative radiographic analysis of the segmental alignment of the involved foot and ankle in children with hemiplegic CP is possible and is more precise and reliable than traditional qualitative techniques. Quantitative techniques can identify a wider range of foot segmental malalignments and should facilitate deformity analysis, preoperative planning, assessment of outcome, and comparison of results between centers.
Changes in dynamic foot pressure after surgical treatment of valgus deformity of the hindfoot in cerebral palsy.
Park KB, Park HW, Lee KS, Joo SY, Kim HW. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008 Aug;90(8):1712-21
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BACKGROUND: Calcaneal lengthening osteotomy and extra-articular arthrodesis of the subtalar joint are two methods used for the correction of valgus deformity of the heel and forefoot abduction. The purpose of this study was to compare the operative results of these procedures in patients with cerebral palsy who were able to walk. We focused primarily on changes in radiographic parameters and how altered mobility of the subtalar joint by the two operative methods would modify pressure distribution over the plantar surface of the foot.
METHODS: A total of eighty-one feet in forty-seven patients were included in the study. The mean age at the time of surgery was eight years and one month, and the mean follow-up period was thirty-nine months. The subjects were divided into two groups; Group I consisted of thirty-seven feet in twenty-two patients who underwent a calcaneal lengthening osteotomy, and Group II comprised forty-four feet in twenty-five patients who underwent an extra-articular subtalar arthrodesis. Preoperative and final follow-up radiographs and dynamic pedobarographs were used to evaluate the results.
RESULTS: The feet in both groups were found to be similarly deformed before surgery, by radiographic measurements and dynamic foot-pressure analysis. Both operative procedures led to improved radiographic indices; however, calcaneal pitch failed to improve after the subtalar arthrodesis. After surgery, the relative vertical impulse was decreased for the hallux, first metatarsal head, and medial aspect of the midfoot in both groups, while it was increased for the lateral aspect of the midfoot and calcaneus. On the other hand, postoperatively, the relative vertical impulse of the medial aspect of the midfoot was higher and the relative vertical impulse of the first through fourth metatarsal heads was lower in the group that had subtalar arthrodesis compared with the group that had a calcaneal lengthening osteotomy and the normal control subjects.
CONCLUSIONS: Extra-articular subtalar arthrodesis appears to be an effective means to achieve predictable correction of severe valgus deformity of the heel in patients with cerebral palsy who are able to walk; however, supination deformity of the forefoot remains and calcaneal equinus is not corrected. On the other hand, we believe that the calcaneal lengthening osteotomy is the treatment of choice because postoperative foot-pressure distribution more closely approximates the normal foot-pressure distribution.
Effect of ankle-foot orthoses on walking efficiency and gait in children with cerebral palsy.
Brehm MA, Harlaar J, Schwartz M. J Rehabil Med. 2008 Jul;40(7):529-34.
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OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of ankle-foot orthoses on walking efficiency and gait in a heterogeneous group of children with cerebral palsy, using barefoot walking as the control condition.
DESIGN: A retrospective study. METHODS: Barefoot and ankle-foot orthosis data for 172 children with spastic cerebral palsy (mean age 9 years; hemiplegia: 21, diplegia: 97, and quadriplegia: 54) were compared. These data consisted of non-dimensional speed, net non- notdimensional energy cost of walking (NN-cost), and NN-cost as a percentage of speed-matched controls (NN-costpct). For 80 of these children the Gillette Gait Index and data for 3D gait kinematics and kinetics were also analyzed.
RESULTS: Speed was 9% faster (p<0.001), NN-cost was 6% lower (p=0.007), and NN-costpct was 9% lower (p=0.022) when walking with an ankle-foot orthosis. The Gillette Gait Index remained unchanged (p=0.607). Secondary subgroup analysis for involvement pattern showed a significant improvement in NN-costpct only for quadriplegics (20%, p=0.004), whereas it remained unchanged for patients with hemiplegia and diplegia. Changes in the minimum knee flexion angle in stance phase and in terminal swing were found to be significantly related to the change in NN-costpct (p=0.013 and p=0.022, respectively).
CONCLUSION: The use of an ankle-foot orthosis resulted in a significant decrease in the energy cost of walking of quadriplegic children with cerebral palsy, compared with barefoot walking, whereas it remained unchanged in hemiplegic and diplegic children with cerebral palsy. Energy cost reduction was related to both a faster and more efficient walking pattern. The improvements in efficiency were reflected in changes of stance and swing phase knee motion, i.e. those children whose knee flexion angle improved toward the typical normal range demonstrated a decrease in energy cost of walking, and vice versa.
AIMS: Orthopaedic care of adults with cerebral palsy (CP) has not been well documented in orthopaedic literature. This paper focuses on some of the common problems which present themselves when adults with CP seek orthopaedic intervention. In particular, we review the most common orthopaedic issues which present to the Penn Neuro-Orthopaedics Program.
METHOD: A formal review of consecutive surgeries performed by the senior author on adults with CP was previously conducted. This paper focuses on the health delivery care for the adult with orthopaedic problems related to cerebral palsy. Ninety-two percent of these patients required lower extremity surgery. Forty percent had procedures performed on the upper extremities.
RESULTS: The majority of problems seen in the Penn Neuro-Orthopaedics Program are associated with the residuals of childhood issues, particularly deformities associated with contractures. Patients are also referred for treatment of acquired musculoskeletal problems such as degenerative arthritis of the hip or knee. A combination of problems contribute most frequently to foot deformities and pain with weight-bearing, shoewear or both, most often due to equinovarus. The surgical correction of this is most often facilitated through a split anterior tibial tendon transfer. Posterior tibial transfers are rarely indicated. Residual equinus deformities contribute to a pes planus deformity. The split anterior tibial tendon transfer is usually combined with gastrocnemius-soleus recession and plantar release. Transfer of the flexor digitorum longus to the os calcis is done to augment the plantar flexor power. Rigid pes planus deformity is treated with a triple arthrodesis. Resolution of deformity allows for a good base for standing, improved ability to tolerate shoewear, and/or braces. Other recurrent or unresolved issues involve hip and knee contractures. Issues of lever arm dysfunction create problems with mechanical inefficiency. Upper extremity intervention is principally to correct contractures. Internal rotation and adductor tightness at the shoulder makes for difficult underarm hygiene and predispose a patient to a spiral fracture of the humerus. A tight flexor, pronation pattern is frequently noted through the elbow and forearm with further flexion contractures through the wrist and fingers. Lengthenings are more frequently performed than tendon transfers in the upper extremity. Arthrodesis of the wrist or on rare occasions of the metacarpal-phalangeal joints supplement the lengthenings when needed.
CONCLUSIONS: The Penn Neuro-Orthopaedics Program has successfully treated adults with both residual and acquired musculoskeletal deformities. These deformities become more critical when combined with degenerative changes, a relative increase in body mass, fatigue, and weakness associated with the aging process.
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