Long-Term Results After Distal Rectus Femoris Transfer as a Part of Multilevel Surgery for the Correction of Stiff-Knee Gait in Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

• DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.k.01300
• Publication Date: 2012-11-15T20:57:10Z
• Authors: Thomas Dreher; Sebastian I. Wolf; Michael Maier; Sébastien Hagmann; Dóra Vegvari; Simone Gantz; Daniel Heitzmann; Wolfram Wenz; Frank Braatz
• Keywords: Rectus femoris muscle

Background: The evidence for distal rectus femoris transfer as a part of multilevel surgery the correction stiff-knee gait in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy is limited because inconsistent outcomes reported various studies and lack long-term evaluations. Methods: This study investigated results (mean, nine years) fifty-three ambulatory patients treated standardized surgery. Standardized three-dimensional analysis clinical examination were carried out before at one year years after Patients decreased peak knee flexion swing phase who had to correct (C-DRFT) evaluated separately from those normal or increased done prophylactic procedure (P-DRFT). Results: A significantly was found C-DRFT group surgery, while significant loss (15°) noted P-DRFT group. slight but not increase both groups time follow-up. improvement timing only group, maintained years. Knee motion velocity follow-up showed deterioration motion. Conclusions: Distal an effective treat featuring leads long-lasting more involvement greater potential benefit transfer. However, 18% permanently poor response 15% developed recurrence. In severe underwent transfer, thus may be indicated these patients. Level Evidence: Therapeutic IV. See Instructions Authors complete description levels evidence.