Body knowledge in children with congenital lower limb deficiency.

BACKGROUND: In order to effectively improve motor function, a sound understanding of one's body - for example, relative spatial position, relationships, names and functions of body parts - is essential. The aim of this study was to explore how children with congenital lower limb deficiency (LLD) perceive their bodies, particularly their legs. METHODS: Six children with congenital LLD and 14 controls, aged 5-12 years, were recruited for this study. They drew self-portraits and answered questions about names of body parts. These body part-related questions consisted of a production test, in which an examiner pointed to body parts on each child and asked the child to name them, and a comprehension test, in which the examiner mentioned body parts and asked the child to point to them on their own body. RESULTS: No differences were found between the self-portraits of children with LLD and those of the control children. In the verbal tests, children with LLD responded correctly at lower rates to questions on body trunk, upper limbs, arms, hands and feet than the control children. CONCLUSION: Children with LLD have diminished lexical-semantic body knowledge of the upper limbs and feet compared with children without LLD.

Comparative study of the use of Paediatric Quality Of Life Inventory 4.0 generic core scales in paediatric patients with spine and limb pathologies.

AIMS: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of paediatric patients with orthopaedic conditions and spinal deformity is important, but existing generic tools have their shortcomings. We aim to evaluate the use of Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 generic core scales in the paediatric population with specific comparisons between those with spinal and limb pathologies, and to explore the feasibility of using PedsQL for studying scoliosis patients' HRQoL. METHODS: Paediatric patients attending a speciality outpatient clinic were recruited through consecutive sampling. Two groups of patients were included: idiopathic scoliosis, and paediatric orthopaedic upper and lower limb condition without scoliosis. Patients were asked to complete PedsQL 4.0 generic core scales, Youth version of 5-level EuroQol-5-dimension questionnaire, and Refined Scoliosis Research Society 22-item (SRS-22r) questionnaire. Statistical analyses included scores comparison between scoliosis and limb pathology patients using independent-samples t-test, and correlation tests of PedsQL and SRS-22r. RESULTS: A total of 566 paediatric patients were recruited: 357 (63.0%) having idiopathic scoliosis, and 209 (37.0%) with limb conditions. Patients with limb pathology had lower functioning scale, summary, and total scores of PedsQL than scoliosis patients (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). No floor or ceiling effects (< 15%) were detected for PedsQL Psychosocial Health Summary and total scores in both groups. PedsQL was sensitive in differentiating patients with/without problems in their daily lives (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01). PedsQL summary and total scores correlated with SRS-22r total score. CONCLUSION: PedsQL is an effective HRQoL measure for both paediatric orthopaedic groups with minimal ceiling and floor effects, and is capable of detecting worse HRQoL in patients with limb pathology. The multidimensional PedsQL is sensitive in differentiating among those with daily life problems, especially for scoliosis patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(7):890-898.

Wrestlers with Limb Deficiencies: A Descriptive Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine if wrestling is a safe, positive athletic option for limb-deficient individuals. DESIGN: This descriptive study consisted of an opportunity sample of limb-deficient wrestlers, aged 5 yrs and older with at least 1 yr of experience. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding health, satisfaction, and achievements. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. RESULTS: Sixteen male wrestlers reported nine below-the-knee, five above-the-knee, and three below-the-elbow limb deficiencies. There were nine congenital deficiencies and seven amputations acquired during childhood. Two individuals won National Collegiate Athletic Association championships, and seven competed collegiately. All reported a positive impact on quality-of-life, 87% reported no difficulty finding acceptance with the team, and 50% experienced wrestling-related residual limb complications. Associations between (1) residual limb complications before and during wrestling and (2) skin breakdown before and during wrestling did not demonstrate statistical significance (P = 0.30 and 0.1189, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that wrestling is a safe, positive sport for limb-deficient individuals, that it fosters competitive equality between impaired and nonimpaired participants, and that it has a positive impact on health and quality-of-life. The incidence of residual limb complications warrants monitoring.

Participation and health-related quality of life of Dutch children and adolescents with congenital lower limb deficiencies.

OBJECTIVES: To describe participation and health-related quality of life of Dutch children and adolescents with congenital lower limb deficiencies in comparison with typically developing children, and to explore differences between various degrees of limb loss and between parental reports and self-reports on health-related quality of life. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Participation was assessed with the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment questionnaire, and health-related quality of life with the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire, both as parental reports and self-reports, for 56 children and adolescents with congenital lower limb deficiencies, aged 8-18 years. RESULTS: Participation and health-related quality of life of children and adolescents with lower limb deficiencies (age range 8-18 years) did not differ from those of the reference group, except that the adolescents with lower limb deficiencies (age range 12-18 years) reported significantly (p < 0.05) less diversity and lower intensity of social and skill-based activities. Degree of limb loss did not affect participation or health-related quality of life. Differences (p < 0.05) between parental reports and self-reports for health-related quality of life were found for the "physical well-being", "moods and emotions" and "self-perception" domains. While parental reports were comparable to the adolescents' self-ratings, parents reported lower health-related quality of life in the "moods and emotions", "self-perception" and "autonomy" domains for their younger children. CONCLUSION: While the participation and perceived health-related quality of life of Dutch children with lower limb deficiencies do not differ from those among typically developing children, the participation of adolescents with lower limb deficiencies is characterized by less diversity, with less interaction in social and skill-based activities.

[The psycho-social impact of the locomotor deformations in school-aged child]. / Impactul PSIHO-social la copilul de vârsta scolara suferind de deformatii ale aparatului locomotor.

Depending on their severity, congenital or acquired, the deformations of the locomotor system affect more or less the child's mental status. Adolescence is the time when their impact is most important. When the physical, mental or functional suffering become a disability, professional and psycho-social integration problems occur. The role of the team treating such a patient is to orientate him toward a specific job corresponding to his abilities, while the social services must support him in achieving this goal. The psychotherapist is the most important person in his fight against depression and, more important, suicide.