Anterior distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis with and without patellar tendon shortening for fixed knee flexion contractures in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract Purpose Surgery is often required for fixed knee flexion contractures in patients with neuromuscular conditions. Anterior distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis (ADFH) is an alternative to distal femoral extension osteotomy (DFEO) in skeletally immature patients. ADFH is typically not accompanie...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of children's orthopaedics 2020-10, Vol.14 (5), p.415-420
Main Authors: Rethlefsen, Susan A., Hanson, Alison M., Wren, Tishya A. L., Abousamra, Oussama, Kay, Robert M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Cerebral palsy
Gait
Kinematics
Knee
Medical records
Original Clinical
Orthopedics
Patients
Pediatrics
Surgeons
Surgery
Wire
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Summary:Abstract Purpose Surgery is often required for fixed knee flexion contractures in patients with neuromuscular conditions. Anterior distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis (ADFH) is an alternative to distal femoral extension osteotomy (DFEO) in skeletally immature patients. ADFH is typically not accompanied by patellar tendon shortening surgery (PTS). Our purpose was to compare ADFH alone versus ADFH with PTS for treatment of fixed knee flexion contractures and crouched gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods Retrospective review of pre- and postoperative gait analysis data for children with CP who underwent ADFH alone, or ADFH with PTS. Data were analysed using linear mixed models to control for covariates. Results In total, 25 participants (42 limbs) were included, 17 male and eight female, mean age at surgery 12.9 (sd 1.9) years. Both groups experienced significant improvement in popliteal angle, knee extension range of motion (ROM) and knee extension in stance phase. Greater improvement was seen for all variables in the ADFH/PTS group, mainly due to greater popliteal angle and knee flexion during gait preoperatively in that group (p ≤ 0.02) rather than the procedure performed (p ≥ 0.19). There was no difference between groups postoperatively. Rate of contracture resolution was 0.5° to 1.0° per month, faster in larger contractures (p = 0.02). Conclusions ADFH with and without PTS is effective in improving knee extension in skeletally immature patients with CP, correcting contractures at a rate of 0.5° to 1.0° per month. Combined ADFH and PTS surgery may be preferable in patients with larger contractures of up to 30° to 35°. Level of evidence III
ISSN:1863-2521
1863-2548
DOI:10.1302/1863-2548.14.200154