J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1979 Dec;14(4):621-627. 10.4055/jkoa.1979.14.4.621.

Proximal Hamstring Release in Cerebral Palsy

• Kim NH
• Kim SJ

• KMID: 2460261
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1979.14.4.621

Abstract

Total release of the hamstrings of the knee from their origin was performed In nine cerebral plasied children. Eighteen procedures were performed in nine patients whose age ranged from three to sixteen years with an average of ten years. The average follow-up period was twenty one months from ten to thirty-six months. The spastic knee flexion was correction adequately; in mest instances the crouch posture was corrected, gait was improved, and a long stride was possible. The power of the hamstrings was assessed in the fourteen limbs of the children who could walk or cooperate in musicle testing. The power was graded as good in six knees and as normal in one. Seven showed improvement in gait; six patients who had never walked were able to do so after hamstring release; and one patient was able to stand up for the first time in his life after the operation. Eight out of nine cases are now able to stand up with or without support of a brace, and to walk with a brace in five cases and without support in two. However, increased lumbar lordosis and genu recurvatum has occurred in two cases each.

MeSH Terms

Animals
Braces
Cerebral Palsy*
Child
Extremities
Follow-Up Studies
Gait
Humans
Knee
Lordosis
Muscle Spasticity
Posture