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Background and purpose: Reduced range of motion (ROM) and spasticity are common secondary findings in cerebral palsy (CP) affecting gait, positioning, and everyday functioning. These impairments can change over time and lead to various needs for intervention. The aim of this study was to analyze the development path of the changes in hamstring length, knee extension, ankle dorsiflexion, and spasticity in hamstrings and gastrosoleus from childhood into adulthood in individuals with CP at the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I–V. Methods: A longitudinal cohort study was undertaken of 61,800 measurements in 3,223 individuals with CP, born 1990–2017 and followed for an average of 8.7 years (range 0–26). The age at examination varied between 0 and 30 years. The GMFCS levels I–V, goniometric measurements, and the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) were used for repeated assessments of motor function, ROM, and spasticity. Results: Throughout the follow-up period, knee extension and hamstring length exhibited a consistent decline across all individuals, with more pronounced decreases evident in those classified at GMFCS levels III–V. Ankle dorsiflexion demonstrated a gradual reduction from 15° to 5° (GMFCS I–IV) or 10° (GMFCS V). Spasticity levels in the hamstrings and gastrosoleus peaked between ages 5 and 7, showing a propensity to increase with higher GMFCS levels. Conclusion: Passive ROM continues to decrease to 30 years of age, most pronouncedly for knee extension. Conversely, spasticity reached its peak at a younger age, with a more notable occurrence observed in the gastrosoleus compared with the hamstrings. Less than 50% of individuals had spasticity corresponding to MAS 2–4 at any age.

Aim: To estimate the probability of independent walking and wheeled mobility in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) at home and in the community in relation to age and gross motor function. Method: This was a longitudinal cohort study using data reported into the combined Swedish CP follow-up programme and national quality registry from October 2000 to October 2022. Walking, walking with aids, wheeled mobility, and assisted mobility defined independent or assisted mobility at home and in the community, based on the Functional Mobility Scale with additional data on wheelchair performance, were assessed. Results; There were 52 858 examinations reported for 6647 individuals with CP (age range 0-32 years, follow-up period 0-22 years). Most children and adults in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I or II walked without assistive devices. The probability of dependence on others for mobility in the community was high for both children and adults in GMFCS levels III to V. Interpretation: Although independent mobility is vital for participation and social inclusion, many children and adults with CP are dependent on others for mobility. We recommend clinicians, together with families and individuals with CP, explore how to increase access to independent mobility from an early age and continuously throughout the life course.

Background and purpose - Joint contracture is a common problem among children with cerebral palsy (CP). To prevent severe contracture and its effects on adjacent joints, it is crucial to identify children with a reduced range of motion (ROM) early. We examined whether significant hip, knee, or foot contracture occurs earliest in children with CP. Patients and methods - This was a longitudinal study involving 27,230 measurements obtained for 2,693 children (59% boys, 41% girls) with CP born 1990 to 2018 and registered before 5 years of age in the Swedish surveillance program for CP. The analysis was based on 4,751 legs followed up for an average of 5.0 years. Separate Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves were drawn for each ROM to illustrate the proportions of contracture-free legs at a given time during the follow-up. Using a clustered bootstrap method and considering the child as the unit of clustering, 95% pointwise confidence intervals were generated for equally spaced time points every 2.5 years for each KM curve. Results - Contracture developed in 34% of all legs, and the median time to the first contracture was 10 years from the first examination. Contracture was most common in children with a higher Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level. The first contracture was a flexion contracture preventing dorsiflexion in children with GMFCS level I or II and preventing knee extension in children with GMFCS level III to V. Interpretation - Early interventions to prevent knee and foot contractures in children with CP should be considered.

AimTo identify the prevalence of knee contracture and its association with gross motor function, age, sex, spasticity, and muscle length in children with cerebral palsy (CP). MethodCross-sectional data for passive knee extension were analysed in 3045 children with CP (1756 males, 1289 females; mean age 8y 1mo [SD 3.84]). CP was classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I (n=1330), II (n=508), III (n=280), IV (n=449), and V (n=478). Pearson's chi(2) test and multiple binary logistic regression were applied to analyse the relationships between knee contracture and GMFCS level, sex, age, spasticity, hamstring length, and gastrocnemius length. ResultsKnee contracture greater than or equal to 5 degrees occurred in 685 children (22%). The prevalence of knee contracture was higher in older children and in those with higher GMFCS levels. Odds ratios (ORs) for knee contracture were significantly higher for children at GMFCS level V (OR=13.17), with short hamstring muscles (OR=9.86), and in the oldest age group, 13 years to 15 years (OR=6.80). InterpretationKnee contracture is associated with higher GMFCS level, older age, and shorter muscle length; spasticity has a small effect. Maintaining muscle length, especially of the hamstrings, is important for reducing the risk of knee contracture.