The effect of the Majestro-Frost procedure on internal hip rotation during gait in patients with cerebral palsy

Outcomes of isolated soft tissue surgery for in-toeing gait in patients with ambulatory cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND

Soft tissue surgery to address in-toeing gait in young cerebral palsy (CP) patients may be an alternative in some cases to femoral derotation osteotomy (FDO), which is the currently accepted treatment. The relative contribution of muscular contracture, spasticity and bone deformity is still controversial. In this study, we determined the outcomes of soft tissue surgery on hip internal rotation (HIR) when femoral anteversion was less than 45° and the soft tissues were identified as being the cause.

METHODS

This prospective study included select adolescent patients who were operated in the context of single-event multilevel surgery. The soft tissues' contribution to the HIR was identified beforehand. The surgical procedures focused on the hamstrings, adductor magnus and gluteus minimus muscles.

RESULTS

Over a 6-year period, 21 patients (mean age 14 years) and 25 lower limbs were treated. The HIR improved by an average of 17.4°±4.8° (95% CI). The gait deviation index and gait profile score also improved significantly. At a mean follow-up of 36 months, no loss of correction had occurred.

DISCUSSION

In-toeing gait in CP patents is due to the action of retracted and/or spastic muscles and the presence of excessive bone torsion. When femoral anteversion<45°, confirming soft tissue involvement allows us to do a surgical procedure on the soft tissues only to correct the dynamic aspect of HIR. Our findings suggest that, under the right conditions, soft tissue surgery can improve in-toeing gain in the long term. This technique has its place alongside FDO in certain CP patients who do not have severe femoral anteversion.

Outcome domains and measures after lower limb orthopaedic surgery for ambulant children with cerebral palsy: an updated scoping review

AIM

To determine the reported outcome domains and measures used to assess lower limb orthopaedic surgery of ambulant children and young people with cerebral palsy (CP) and map these outcomes to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health - Children and Youth (ICF-CY) framework.

METHOD

This updated scoping review included studies published between January 2016 and July 2019 in five databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Studies were included if participants were ambulant individuals with CP aged between 0 and 20 years who had undergone lower limb orthopaedic surgery. Health outcome domains and measures were identified and classified using the ICF-CY framework.

RESULTS

Forty-four eligible studies were identified with a total of 40 different outcome domains recorded. Among eligible studies, 44 (100%) measured body function and structural impairment and seven (16%) measured activity limitation and participation restriction. The most frequently reported outcome was gait pattern (n=37, 84%). Few studies reported adverse effects of surgery (n=13, 30%). Twenty-nine different outcome measures were identified. Patient-reported outcomes measures were used in 10 studies (23%).

INTERPRETATION

The review highlights a heterogeneity in the reported outcome domains and measures used in CP studies. The majority of the reported outcomes focus on the ICF-CY domain of body function and structure. The review also highlights a notable shift towards patient-reported outcomes in recent years. Development of a core outcome set for lower limb orthopaedic surgery would guide researchers to use more consistent and complete measurement sets.