Kinematic and kinetic analysis of distal derotational osteotomy of the leg in children with cerebral palsy

J Pediatr Orthop. 1998 Jan-Feb;18(1):81-7.

Abstract

Patients with cerebral palsy often develop rotational deformities of the lower extremities. These deformities may be caused by abnormal muscle tone, soft-tissue contractures, or bony malalignment. When rotational deformity persists after correction of the soft-tissue components, bony-realignment procedures are warranted to improve gait in ambulatory patients. We performed a retrospective review of 10 ambulatory children with cerebral palsy and tibial torsion who underwent 13 distal tibial and fibular derotation osteotomies. Preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional gait analysis were used to determine the effect of distal tibial and fibular derotation osteotomy on tibial rotation, foot-progression angle, gait velocity, and moments about the ankle. Mean tibial rotation and foot-progression angle were significantly improved by the procedure. Gait velocity improved but not significantly. Moment data demonstrated a trend toward normal. This study demonstrates that the derotational distal tibial and fibular osteotomy stabilized with percutaneous crossed Kirschner wires is a safe, reliable, and effective procedure for correcting rotational deformities of the leg in patients with cerebral palsy.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bone Wires
  • Cerebral Palsy / physiopathology*
  • Cerebral Palsy / surgery*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fibula / surgery*
  • Gait
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Osteotomy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rotation
  • Tibia / pathology
  • Tibia / surgery*
  • Torsion Abnormality
  • Treatment Outcome