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Limb-lengthening surgery to treat short stature has undergone great development in recent years with the use of intramedullary telescopic nails (TIMNs). A limited number of studies have explored the impact of lower limb lengthening on the spine, though their conclusions are not consistent. The aim of this research is to analyze changes in spinopelvic sagittal alignment and balance after lower limb lengthening in achondroplastic patients.Prospective study of patients with achondroplasia treated with bilateral femoral lengthening using an TIMN. Different sagittal spinal and pelvic plane parameters were measured on pre- and 2 year postoperative lateral spine radiographs: cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, TL junction, lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and sagittal vertebral axis (SVA). Similarly, information regarding the elongation procedure was recorded.A total of 10 patients were included (60% male), with a median age of 13.39 (2.32) years at first surgery and a median height of 120.3 (5.75) cm. A 10 cm elongation was performed in all patients through femoral subtrochanteric osteotomy. Statistically significant changes were found in LL -15.2 (7.4-17.9)º (p = 0.028), PT 11.7 (10.3-13.4)º (p = 0.018), SS - 11.6 (- 13.4 to - 10.4)º (p = 0.018) and |SVA| - 34.3 (- 39.10 to - 1.7) mm (p = 0.043).Bilateral lower limb lengthening in patients with achondroplasia not only increases their size, but also improves sagittal spinopelvic alignment and balance. This may be due to retroversion of the pelvis and subsequent decrease in SS and LL as a result of the increased tightness of the gluteus maximus and hamstring muscles after femoral lengthening through subtrochanteric osteotomy.II, prospective comparative cohort study, before and after intervention.

Planovalgus foot (PVF) in cerebral palsy (CP) tends toward progression and rigidity in adolescence, especially in patients with greater functional impairment. Deformity at the talonavicular joint justifies the use of talonavicular arthrodesis as a corrective surgical technique. This study aims to assess patient or caregiver functional satisfaction and radiographic outcomes of talonavicular arthrodesis for PVF in CP patients with assisted ambulation in the long-term.Retrospective comparative study of level III and level IV pediatric CP patients who underwent talonavicular arthrodesis for PVF between 1999 and 2010 as part of multilevel surgery and with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. Radiologic correction at 10 years was compared with preintervention values, and functional impact at 10 years was measured by the foot function index (FFI); correlation between radiologic measurements and FFI were obtained, and complications were recorded.Forty-nine PVFs in 25 patients with CP (72% level III and 28% level IV) were included; 52% were male. The patients had a median age of 12 years at the time of surgery (range: 11 to 15) and 23 years at the time of the study (21 to 26). Significant (P0.01) pre-post radiologic improvements were obtained in Meary angle (37.86±10.7/8.37±5.5 degrees), calcaneal pitch (3.20±8.1/13.22±5.6 degrees), lateral talocalcaneus angle (42.18±12.1/25.29±2.9 degrees), Moreau-Costa-Bartani angle (167.04±8/146.12±7.1 degrees), talus-first metatarsal angle (27.92±13.9/9.69±4.4 degrees), anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle (37.61±7.4/22.61±2.4 degrees), and talus coverage angle (37.04±11.11/2.45±2.5 degrees). At 10 years postoperatively, functional outcome measured with the FFI was satisfactory (33.9±15.2%) and the mean maximum pain was 3.04; 56% of cases had mild pain. All patients were able to wear an ankle-foot orthosis and 8 no longer needed the device. A significant correlation was found between the talofirst metatarsal angle and the FFI (P=0.024). There were 8% of cases with screw protrusion and 14% presented pseudarthrosis, most of them asymptomatic.The adequate functional outcome, as well as the persistence of long-term radiologic correction and acceptable number of complications, enables us to recommend talonavicular arthrodesis as an alternative treatment to consider in level III and level IV CP patients with PVF.Level III-retrospective comparative study.

The aim of this study was to assess metabolic, cardiorespiratory, and neuromuscular fitness parameters in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and to compare these findings with typically developing children. 40 children with CP (21 males, 19 females; mean age, 11.0±3.3 yr; range, 6.5–17.1 yr; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels 1 or 2) and 40 healthy, age- and sex-matched children completed a test battery that consisted of 8 tests and 28 measures that assessed cardio-respiratory fitness, energy expenditure, anaerobic endurance, muscle strength, agility, stability and flexibility. Children with CP had significantly lower performance (P

To compare medial gastrocnemius muscle-tendon structure, gait propulsive forces, and ankle joint gait kinetics between typically developing children and those with spastic cerebral palsy, and to describe significant associations between structure and function in children with spastic cerebral palsy. A sample of typically developing children (n = 9 /16 limbs) and a sample of children with spastic cerebral palsy (n = 29 /43 limbs) were recruited. Ultrasound and 3-dimensional motion capture were used to assess muscle-tendon structure, and propulsive forces and ankle joint kinetics during gait, respectively. Children with spastic cerebral palsy had shorter fascicles and muscles, and longer Achilles tendons than typically developing children. Furthermore, total negative power and peak negative power at the ankle were greater, while total positive power, peak positive power, net power, total vertical ground reaction force, and peak vertical and anterior ground reaction forces were smaller compared to typically developing children. Correlation analyses revealed that smaller resting ankle joint angles and greater maximum dorsiflexion in children with spastic cerebral palsy accounted for a significant decrease in peak negative power. Furthermore, short fascicles, small fascicle to belly ratios, and large tendon to fascicle ratios accounted for a decrease in propulsive force generation. Alterations observed in the medial gastrocnemius muscle-tendon structure of children with spastic cerebral palsy may impair propulsive mechanisms during gait. Therefore, conventional treatments should be revised on the basis of muscle-tendon adaptations.

Tissue related ankle hyper-resistance has been reported to contribute to equinus gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Hence, ankle plantarflexor stretching programs have been developed in order to restore passive ankle dorsiflexion. Despite high quality evidence on the limited effects of stretching on passive joint mobility, further muscle-tendon adaptations have been reported which may impact gait performance. As such, children with spastic cerebral palsy subject to long-term manual static stretching achieved dorsiflexion gains through the reduction of muscle and fascicle strain whilst preserving tendon strain, and prolonged use of ankle-foot orthoses achieved similar dorsiflexion gains through increased tendon strain whilst preserving muscle and fascicle strain. The latter concurred with normalization of early stance plantarflexor moment yet reductions in push-off plantarflexor moment given the increase in tendon compliance. Therefore, similar limited gains in passive ankle joint mobility in response to stretching may be achieved either by preserving/restoring optimal muscle-tendon function, or at the expense of muscle-tendon function and thus contributing gait impairments. The largest increase in ankle passive joint mobility in children with SCP has been obtained through prolonged plantarflexor stretching through ankle casting combined with botulinum neurotoxin type A. However, to our knowledge, there are no published studies on muscle-tendinous adaptations to ankle casting combined with botulinum toxin type A and its effect on ankle joint gait kinetics. Therefore, we hypothesized that ankle casting elicits muscle-tendon adaptations which concur with altered ankle joint kinetics during the stance phase of gait in children with SCP. More information is needed about the relationships between muscle structure and function, and the effect of specific interventions designed to alter muscle properties and associated functional outcomes in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Muscle fascicles lengthen in response to chronic passive stretch through in-series sarcomere addition in order to maintain an optimum sarcomere length. In turn, the muscles' force generating capacity, maximum excursion, and contraction velocity is enhanced. Thus, longer fascicles suggest a greater capacity to develop joint power and work. However, static fascicle length measurements may not be taking sarcomere length differences into account. Thus, we considered relative fascicle excursions through passive ankle dorsiflexion may better correlate with the capacity to generate joint power and work than fascicle length. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine if medial gastrocnemius relative fascicle excursions correlate with ankle joint power and work generation during gait in typically developing children. A sample of typically developing children (n = 10) were recruited for this study and data analysis was carried out on 20 legs. Medial gastrocnemius relative fascicle excursion from resting joint angle to maximum dorsiflexion was estimated from trigonometric relations of medial gastrocnemius pennation angle and thickness obtained from B-mode real-time ultrasonography. Furthermore, a three-dimensional motion capture system was used to obtain ankle joint work and power during the stance phase of gait. Significant correlations were found between relative fascicle excursion and peak power absorption (-) r(14) = -0.61, P = .012 accounting for 31% variability, positive work r(18) = 0.56, P = .021 accounting for 31% variability, and late stance positive work r(15) = 0.51, P = .037 accounting for 26% variability. The large unexplained variance may be attributed to mechanics of neighboring structures (e.g., soleus or Achilles tendon mechanics) and proximal joint kinetics which may also contribute to ankle joint power and work performance, and were not taken into account. Further studies are encouraged to provide greater insight on the relationship between relative fascicle excursions and joint function.

About 23,000 patients with spasticity voluntarily chose to undergo a multiple myofiberotomy (MMF), which is an alternative technique consisting in sectioning soft tissues in order to relieve restrictions in joint movements. This technique, first employed by Ulzibat (Russia), is performed outside orthodox clinical controls.To perform an external evaluation of the effects of MMF on motor functionality and gait.The study was self-controlled and observation-based and was designed to evaluate the changes in functional variables -Gross Motor Function Classification System, E-dimension of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and the Functional Mobility Scale- and 32 gait parameters (measured using analytical instruments) in 22 school-children with spastic diplegia (mean age: 9 years and 6 months; Q1-Q3: 7 years and 11 months to 11 years and 6 months) whose parents opted for an MMF (median of observation: 4 months; range: 3-7 months).The analysis of hierarchical conglomerates used to determine topographic cut patterns in patients revealed that the surgeons applied one of three sets of cuts to each patient. On analysing the three groups of patients, it was observed that one group worsened overall and another underwent a general significant improvement in the E-dimension of the GMFM (difference of median: 4.86%; 95% confidence interval = 0-6.94%) after the MMF. Some of the gait parameters became significantly normalised (left: hip-flexion range, maximum dorsiflexion with support; right: speed, mean pelvic rotation with support and maximum dorsiflexion with support).These findings do not back up or justify the use of MMF as a therapeutic option to treat spasticity. It has to be stressed that this technique must be avoided outside study protocols. Nevertheless, results do lay an objective base that may justify a clinical trial and long-term observation-based studies.Evaluacion externa de los cambios funcionales y la marcha tras una sesion de miofibrotomia multiple en escolares con diplejia espastica.Introduccion. Unos 23.000 pacientes con espasticidad han optado voluntariamente por la miofibrotomia multiple (MFM), una tecnica alternativa consistente en seccionar tejidos blandos para liberar restricciones articulares. Iniciada por Ulzibat (Rusia), se realiza fuera de controles clinicos ortodoxos. Objetivo. Evaluar externamente los efectos de la MFM sobre la funcionalidad motora y la marcha. Pacientes y metodos. Estudio observacional autocontrolado que evalua cambios en variables funcionales –Gross Motor Function Classification System, dimension E de la Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) y Functional Mobility Scale– y 32 parametros de marcha (medidos mediante analisis instrumental) en 22 escolares con diplejia espastica (edad mediana: 9 años y 6 meses; Q1-Q3: 7 años y 11 meses a 11 años y 6 meses) cuyos padres optaron por una MFM (mediana de observacion: 4 meses; rango: 3-7 meses). Resultados. El analisis de conglomerados jerarquicos utilizado para determinar patrones topograficos de cortes en los pacientes detecto que los cirujanos aplicaban a cada paciente uno de tres conjuntos de cortes. Analizados los tres grupos de pacientes, se observo que un grupo empeoro globalmente y una mejora significativa general en la dimension E del GMFM (diferencia de mediana: 4,86%; intervalo de confianza al 95% = 0-6,94%) tras la MFM. Algunos parametros de la marcha se normalizaron significativamente (izquierda: rango flexion-cadera, maxima dorsiflexion en apoyo; derecha: velocidad, rotacion pelvica media en apoyo y maxima dorsiflexion en apoyo). Conclusiones. Estos resultados no apoyan ni justifican el uso de la MFM como opcion para el tratamiento de la espasticidad. Insistimos en que esta tecnica debe evitarse fuera de protocolos de estudio. Sin embargo, los resultados asientan una base objetiva para justificar la realizacion de un ensayo clinico y estudios observacionales a largo plazo.

Introducción. Unos 23.000 pacientes con espasticidad han optado voluntariamente por la miofibrotomía múltiple (MFM), una técnica alternativa consistente en seccionar tejidos blandos para liberar restricciones articulares. Iniciada por Ulzibat (Rusia), se realiza fuera de controles clínicos ortodoxos. Objetivo. Evaluar externamente los efectos de la MFM sobre la funcionalidad motora y la marcha. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio observacional autocontrolado que evalúa cambios en variables funcionales –Gross Motor Function Classification System, dimensión E de la Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) y Functional Mobility Scale– y 32 parámetros de marcha (medidos mediante análisis instrumental) en 22 escolares con diplejía espástica (edad mediana: 9 años y 6 meses; Q1-Q3: 7 años y 11 meses a 11 años y 6 meses) cuyos padres optaron por una MFM (mediana de observación: 4 meses; rango: 3-7 meses). Resultados. El análisis de conglomerados jerárquicos utilizado para determinar patrones topográficos de cortes en los pacientes detectó que los cirujanos aplicaban a cada paciente uno de tres conjuntos de cortes. Analizados los tres grupos de pacientes, se observó que un grupo empeoró globalmente y una mejora significativa general en la dimensión E del GMFM (diferencia de mediana: 4,86%; intervalo de confianza al 95% = 0-6,94%) tras la MFM. Algunos parámetros de la marcha se normalizaron significativamente (izquierda: rango flexión-cadera, máxima dorsiflexión en apoyo; derecha: velocidad, rotación pélvica media en apoyo y máxima dorsiflexión en apoyo). Conclusiones. Estos resultados no apoyan ni justifican el uso de la MFM como opción para el tratamiento de la espasticidad. Insistimos en que esta técnica debe evitarse fuera de protocolos de estudio. Sin embargo, los resultados asientan una base objetiva para justificar la realización de un ensayo clínico y estudios observacionales a largo plazo, Introduction. About 23,000 patients with spasticity voluntarily chose to undergo a multiple myofiberotomy (MMF), which is an alternative technique consisting in sectioning soft tissues in order to relieve restrictions in joint movements. This technique, first employed by Ulzibat (Russia), is performed outside orthodox clinical controls. Aims. To perform an external evaluation of the effects of MMF on motor functionality and gait. Patients and methods. The study was self-controlled and observation-based and was designed to evaluate the changes in functional variables –Gross Motor Function Classification System, E-dimension of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and the Functional Mobility Scale– and 32 gait parameters (measured using analytical instruments) in 22 schoolchildren with spastic diplegia (mean age: 9 years and 6 months; Q1-Q3: 7 years and 11 months to 11 years and 6 months) whose parents opted for an MMF (median of observation: 4 months; range: 3-7 months). Results. The analysis of hierarchical conglomerates used to determine topographic cut patterns in patients revealed that the surgeons applied one of three sets of cuts to each patient. On analysing the three groups of patients, it was observed that one group worsened overall and another underwent a general significant improvement in the E-dimension of the GMFM (difference of median: 4.86%; 95% confidence interval = 0-6.94%) after the MMF. Some of the gait parameters became significantly normalised (left: hip-flexion range, maximum dorsiflexion with support; right: speed, mean pelvic rotation with support and maximum dorsiflexion with support). Conclusions. These findings do not back up or justify the use of MMF as a therapeutic option to treat spasticity. It has to be stressed that this technique must be avoided outside study protocols. Nevertheless, results do lay an objective base that may justify a clinical trial and long-term observation-based studies, Financiado por AETES (PI05/90123)

How a neurologic disease affects to the muscles, bones is introduced. Classifications systems and treatments according functional levels and ages are already established. How to improve treatment outcomes is an important task.

Despite the improvement achieved by the functional alignment of the lower limbs after multilevel surgery, some problems still need our effort to search the right solution.

Modern Gait Analysis is based in the integration of kinematics, kinetics, sEMG, energy consumption and video taping in order to perform a complete description of the gait pattern. All the biomechanical information must be correctly processed and only some information is used in clinical decission making. Different protocols are discussed. The elaboration of a primary gait problems list and the future of simulation applications are the main topics to keep in mind.