Orthotic correction of lower limb function during gait does not immediately influence spinal kinematics in spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. 2016

Stefan Schmid, and Jacqueline Romkes, and William R Taylor, and Silvio Lorenzetti, and Reinald Brunner
ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomechanics, Zurich, Switzerland; Bern University of Applied Sciences, Health Division, Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address: stefanschmid79@gmail.com.

Foot equinus and leg length discrepancy (LLD) are common problems in hemiplegic cerebral palsy (hCP), both causing secondary deviations of pelvic motion during gait. It can therefore be assumed that the spinal deviations observed in hCP patients are secondary as a compensation for the position of the pelvis arising from the disturbed leg function. This study investigated the effects of correcting lower extremity function by orthotics on spinal gait kinematics in hCP patients. Ten adolescent hCP patients and 15 healthy controls were included. Using a validated and previously used enhanced marker set, sagittal and frontal plane spinal curvature angles as well as general trunk and lower extremity kinematics were measured while walking barefoot as well as with an orthotic correction (only hCP patients) using a 12-camera motion capture system. The hCP patients in both the barefoot and orthotic conditions indicated clinically relevant greater lumbar lordosis angles (d≥0.96, p≤0.071), smaller thoracic kyphosis angles (d≥0.84, p≤0.142) and differences in frontal plane lumbar curvature angles (d≥1.00, p≤0.105) compared to controls. However, these angles were not influenced by the successful restoration of a normal heel-to-toe gait pattern and the correction of any LLD using lower extremity orthotics. Spinal gait deviations in adolescents with mild hCP seemed not to result secondarily from foot equinus or LLD, but probably from structural deformities such as hip flexor contractures. Future research should address long-term effects of an AFO treatment as well as the relationship between spinal kinematics and severity of disease.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007870 Leg Length Inequality A condition in which one of a pair of legs fails to grow as long as the other, which could result from injury or surgery. Inequalities, Leg Length,Inequality, Leg Length,Leg Length Inequalities,Length Inequalities, Leg,Length Inequality, Leg
D008297 Male Males
D009128 Muscle Spasticity A form of muscle hypertonia associated with upper MOTOR NEURON DISEASE. Resistance to passive stretch of a spastic muscle results in minimal initial resistance (a "free interval") followed by an incremental increase in muscle tone. Tone increases in proportion to the velocity of stretch. Spasticity is usually accompanied by HYPERREFLEXIA and variable degrees of MUSCLE WEAKNESS. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p54) Clasp-Knife Spasticity,Spastic,Clasp Knife Spasticity,Spasticity, Clasp-Knife,Spasticity, Muscle
D009989 Orthotic Devices Apparatus used to support, align, or augment the functioning of parts of the body. Orthoses,Orthosis,Parapodium,Device, Orthotic,Devices, Orthotic,Orthose,Orthotic Device,Parapodiums
D010388 Pelvis The space or compartment surrounded by the pelvic girdle (bony pelvis). It is subdivided into the greater pelvis and LESSER PELVIS. The pelvic girdle is formed by the PELVIC BONES and SACRUM. Pelvic Region,Region, Pelvic
D002547 Cerebral Palsy A heterogeneous group of nonprogressive motor disorders caused by chronic brain injuries that originate in the prenatal period, perinatal period, or first few years of life. The four major subtypes are spastic, athetoid, ataxic, and mixed cerebral palsy, with spastic forms being the most common. The motor disorder may range from difficulties with fine motor control to severe spasticity (see MUSCLE SPASTICITY) in all limbs. Spastic diplegia (Little disease) is the most common subtype, and is characterized by spasticity that is more prominent in the legs than in the arms. Pathologically, this condition may be associated with LEUKOMALACIA, PERIVENTRICULAR. (From Dev Med Child Neurol 1998 Aug;40(8):520-7) Diplegic Infantile Cerebral Palsy,Little Disease,Monoplegic Cerebral Palsy,Quadriplegic Infantile Cerebral Palsy,Spastic Diplegia,CP (Cerebral Palsy),Cerebral Palsy, Athetoid,Cerebral Palsy, Atonic,Cerebral Palsy, Congenital,Cerebral Palsy, Diplegic, Infantile,Cerebral Palsy, Dyskinetic,Cerebral Palsy, Dystonic-Rigid,Cerebral Palsy, Hypotonic,Cerebral Palsy, Mixed,Cerebral Palsy, Monoplegic, Infantile,Cerebral Palsy, Quadriplegic, Infantile,Cerebral Palsy, Rolandic Type,Cerebral Palsy, Spastic,Congenital Cerebral Palsy,Diplegia, Spastic,Infantile Cerebral Palsy, Diplegic,Infantile Cerebral Palsy, Monoplegic,Infantile Cerebral Palsy, Quadriplegic,Little's Disease,Monoplegic Infantile Cerebral Palsy,Rolandic Type Cerebral Palsy,Athetoid Cerebral Palsy,Atonic Cerebral Palsy,Cerebral Palsies, Athetoid,Cerebral Palsies, Dyskinetic,Cerebral Palsies, Dystonic-Rigid,Cerebral Palsies, Monoplegic,Cerebral Palsy, Dystonic Rigid,Cerebral Palsy, Monoplegic,Diplegias, Spastic,Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy,Dystonic-Rigid Cerebral Palsies,Dystonic-Rigid Cerebral Palsy,Hypotonic Cerebral Palsies,Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy,Mixed Cerebral Palsies,Mixed Cerebral Palsy,Monoplegic Cerebral Palsies,Spastic Cerebral Palsies,Spastic Cerebral Palsy,Spastic Diplegias
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D005260 Female Females
D005528 Foot The distal extremity of the leg in vertebrates, consisting of the tarsus (ANKLE); METATARSUS; phalanges; and the soft tissues surrounding these bones. Feet
D005684 Gait Manner or style of walking. Gaits

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