Botulinum toxin A treatment in toddlers with cerebral palsy.

AIMS: In this study the aim was to evaluate the effect of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) treatment on muscle tone, contracture development and gait pattern in young children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: Fifteen children with spastic CP (mean age = 16 months) were included in a randomized control study. All received a daily stretching programme and children in the BoNT-A group additionally received two injections, 6 months apart in the gastrocnemius muscle. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, and after 1 and 3.5 years. A 3D gait-analysis was performed at 5 years of age. RESULTS: Plantarflexor muscle tone in the BoNT-A group was significantly reduced after 3.5 years, while the muscle tone at the ankle and knee in the control group remained unchanged. The change-score in knee-flexion muscle tone between the groups was significantly different after 3.5 years. The knee joint ROM was significantly increased at 1 year in the BoNT-A group but reduced at the knee and ankle joints in the control group after 3.5 years. No group differences were found for gait analysis, GMFM-66 or PEDI. CONCLUSION: Early treatment of BoNT-A in children with spastic CP may decrease muscle tone and decelerate contracture development after 3.5 years. The effect on gait development remains inconclusive.

Effect of joint injections in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: evaluation by 3D-gait analysis.

AIM: To investigate how gait patterns change after intra-articular corticosteroid injections (ICIs) in the lower extremities. METHODS: Eighteen children, aged 5-16 y, with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and lower extremity involvement participated in the study. Sixty-four joints in the lower extremities were treated with ICIs. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, 0-100 mm) was used to assess pain. A 3D motion analysis system and two force plates were used to measure gait parameters, kinematics and kinetics. The first gait analysis was performed before treatment with ICIs, and a second one was done 8-17 d after treatment. RESULTS: The participants' average rating of pain decreased from 26 mm on the VAS before ICI to 11 mm (p = 0.001) after treatment. The self-chosen walking velocity was significantly faster (p = 0.02) after treatment. The range of knee and ankle joint angles during gait increased significantly (p = 0.03 and 0.04) after treatment. At loading response, the hip extension moment increased (p = 0.01) as did knee flexion moment, and plantar flexion moment at pre-swing increased significantly (p = 0.02 and 0.002) after treatment. The ankle also generated more power (p = 0.005) after treatment. CONCLUSION: The study shows positive effects of treatment with ICIs in the lower extremities--especially regarding pain, walking velocity and joint moments. The data indicate that ICI treatment influences the gait pattern also in joints that have not been injected.

Gait in children with juvenile chronic arthritis. Timing and force parameters.

OBJECTIVES: To examine gait in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) with reference to velocity, ground reaction forces and temporal parameters. METHODS: Fifteen children with JCA were assigned into two groups (uni- and bilateral involvement and classified as pauci- or polyarticular arthritis). Fourteen healthy children participated in the control group. Light-beams were used to determine walking velocity and the children with JCA rated their pain on a visual analogue scale. Two force plates registered the ground reaction forces and foot-switches were used to obtain temporal parameters. RESULTS: The mean velocity for the children with JCA was significantly less than for the healthy controls. Velocity normalized to height showed a tendency for the children with JCA to walk slower than controls. Differences between JCA children and healthy controls were observed for peak vertical forces during heel contact and push-off. No temporal differences were observed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Such kinetic and temporal information may provide the clinician with a sensitive tool for pre- and post assessment of intra-articular steroid injections and/or physical therapy.

Lower extremity isometric joint torque in children with juvenile chronic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the intratester reliability of joint torque testing with a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) during contractions of four major lower extremity muscles in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) and to compare results for children with JCA to results for children without disability. METHODS: Eleven children with JCA and 14 children with normal musculoskeletal function were tested with a HHD using isometric muscle contractions of the right quadriceps, hamstrings, tibialis anterior and triceps surae. RESULTS: Intratester reliability values exceeded the 0.92 level, regardless of the number of trials, for all motions tested. Statistically lower joint torque values were found in a subgroup of children with JCA for contractions of the tibialis anterior (p=0.003) and triceps surae (p=0.05) muscles. CONCLUSIONS: HHD offers a reliable means of testing the joint torque generated with contraction of these lower extremity muscles in children with JCA. Findings in children with JCA compared to children without disability agree with previous reports concerning quadriceps muscle function, but also point to concerns for muscles associated with generating ankle joint torque.

Open MR imaging of the unstable shoulder in the apprehension test position: description and evaluation of an alternative MR examination position.

The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate an alternative MR assessment procedure for analysis of unstable shoulders. Twelve patients with unilateral recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation had both shoulders examined. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed with an open-MR system in the apprehension position with the shoulder in 90 degrees of abduction and maximum tolerable external rotation. Contrast enhancement was achieved with intravenous gadolinium. Correlations were made to the findings at operation. In 10 of 12 unstable shoulders the inferior glenohumeral ligament labral complex (IGHLLC) was detached from the glenoid as seen on MR and later verified during surgery. In one shoulder MR was unable to show a capsulolabral detachment that was verified at surgery, whereas in one shoulder both MR and surgical assessment revealed no soft tissue detachment (accuracy 92 %). A Hill-Sachs lesion was visualized and verified in all unstable shoulders, whereas the stable controls revealed normal IGHLLC and no Hill-Sachs lesion. Open-MRI evaluation of the shoulder in the apprehension test position may become a useful tool for the evaluation of anterior shoulder instability.

Arthroscopic lavage compared with nonoperative treatment for traumatic primary anterior shoulder dislocation: a 2-year follow-up of a prospective randomized study.

A prospective randomized study was performed on 30 consecutive patients with traumatic primary anterior shoulder dislocation to compare treatment results of arthroscopic lavage with results of conventional nonoperative treatment. The patients were between 18 and 30 years of age and had no history of shoulder problems. At the 2-year follow-up, 3 (20%) of 15 patients in the lavage group had a redislocated shoulder compared with 9 (60%) of 15 patients in the nonoperative group (P = .03). Two of the patients in the lavage group compared with 6 of the patients in the control group had been operated on or were scheduled for stabilizing surgery. Functional outcome according to the Constant and Rowe shoulder scores did not reveal any significant difference (P = .07) between the groups. However, by the Rowe classification 2 of 15 patients in the lavage group had poor results versus 8 of 15 in the control group, indicating an advantage for the lavage treatment. The study showed that arthroscopic lavage reduced the risk for recurrent dislocation when compared with nonoperative treatment.

Arthroscopic lavage reduced the recurrence rate following primary anterior shoulder dislocation. A randomised multicentre study with 1-year follow-up.

Young individuals have a high recurrence rate following non-operative treatment of traumatic primary anterior shoulder dislocation. The present multicentre study was undertaken to find out whether the results could be improved by using arthroscopic lavage as treatment. Sixty patients aged 16-30 years, with traumatic primary anterior shoulder dislocation were randomised into two groups. One group was treated with arthroscopic lavage within 10 days, while the other group was treated non-operatively. Rehabilitation was otherwise identical. At 1-year follow-up, 4 of 30 patients (13%) in the lavage group had had redislocation compared with 13 of 30 (43%) in the group treated non-operatively (P = 0.01). The difference in recurrence rate was more pronounced in younger patients. The functional outcome according to the Rowe shoulder score was better in the lavage group (P = 0.003), as was the anterior stability according to the apprehension test (P = 0.008). We conclude that arthroscopic lavage reduced the recurrence rate and produced a better functional outcome at 1-year follow-up than the non-operative treatment in young individuals.

Joint fluid enhancement at MRI of the glenohumeral joint with intravenous injection of gadodiamide in standard and triple dose: a prospective comparative study of stable and unstable shoulders.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the joint fluid enhancement at MRI of unstable and stable glenohumeral joints after intravenous administration of different doses of gadodiamide. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Fourteen patients with unilateral anterior shoulder instability and six healthy controls had both shoulders examined on two occasions using either a standard dose (0.1 mmol/kg) or a triple dose (0.3 mmol/kg) of gadodiamide in an open MRI magnet (0.2 T). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The joint fluid enhancement in the unstable shoulders was on average 134% following the lower dose and 182% for the triple dose, whereas corresponding values in the stable shoulder in the same individuals were 69% and 142%, and (65% and 159%) in the healthy controls. Enhancement of the joint fluid was higher after the triple dose than after the standard dose in both the unstable shoulders (P < 0.0001) and the controls (P < 0.0005). Compared with the stable controls enhancement in the unstable shoulders was higher for the lower dose (P < 0.0001) while there was no significant difference between the groups following the higher dose. The improved enhancement following the higher dose was especially evident in stable shoulders, while the lower dose was found satisfactory for unstable shoulders.

A prospective controlled randomized study of arthroscopic lavage in acute primary anterior dislocation of the shoulder: one-year follow-up.

Traumatic primary anterior shoulder dislocation has a very high recurrence rate among young people. This has supplied the motivation for studies to find methods of treatment that might become an alternative to traditional therapy. A prospective controlled study was performed to test the hypothesis that acute arthroscopic lavage might have a positive effect on recurrence rate as well as on shoulder stability, range of motion and mobilization. 30 consecutive patients between 18 and 30 years of age were randomized into 2 groups, 1 control group treated conservatively and 1 group treated with acute arthroscopic lavage within 10 days. Clinical examination was made by an independent observer at 1, 6 and 12 months. Results at 6- and 12-month check-ups showed a statistically significantly lower rate of redislocation and a wider range of motion for the group treated with acute arthroscopic lavage. Functional assessment according to the Lysholm shoulder score also indicated better functioning of the joint. Our 1-year follow-up shows very promising and interesting results.

MRI examination of the glenohumeral joint after traumatic primary anterior dislocation. A descriptive evaluation of the acute lesion and at 6-month follow-up.

Primary traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder in young patients has a high recurrency rate. There are varying opinions on the pathology behind the recurrences. The aim of this study was to describe the MRI characteristics of the acute lesion, and at 6-month follow-up. Thirty patients aged 18-30 years with primary traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder were randomized into two groups. One group was treated with acute arthroscopic lavage within 10 days. The control group was treated with traditional non-operative therapy. All patients underwent acute MRI within 10 days and before the arthroscopic lavage, and again at the 6-month follow-up, for evaluation of the lesions. The acute MRI verified Hill-Sachs lesions in all patients. At the 6-month follow-up MRI, there was no change in the size of the Hill-Sachs lesion. This was also the case with the six patients in the control group with recurrent dislocations during the first 6 months. Twenty-nine patients (97%) had joint effusion at the acute MRI, which was very useful for evaluation of the soft tissue pathology. The glenohumeral ligaments were detached in 20/30 patients (66%), and the labrum in 22/30 patients (70%). A capsulolabral detachment classified as a Baker 3 lesion was seen in 16/30 (53%) of the patients, including all six patients with recurrent dislocation. At the 6-month control only 3/30 (10%) of the patients had joint effusion for adequate evaluation of the labrum and ligamentous pathology. A Hill-Sachs lesion was found in 100% of the patients after primary dislocation, and recurrent dislocations did not change the size of the lesion. The study supports the opinion that this lesion is overlooked in the clinical situation. The joint effusion at the acute MRI was of utmost importance for evaluation of the soft tissue pathology. The 6-month MRI control was therefore considered inconclusive when evaluating capsulolabral lesions, due to lack of effusion. MRI arthrography with contrast administration would have been very helpful at the 6-month examination.

Range of motion, muscle torque and training habits in runners with and without Achilles tendon problems.

Achilles tendon injuries are common in runners. The aim of the present study was to analyse the training programme, any Achilles tendon problems, muscle tightness and range of motion of the ankle joint, and concentric and eccentric muscle torques of the calf muscles in middle-distance runners with and without Achilles tendon problems. Eighty-three middle-distance runners answered a questionnaire on their sports background, training habits and any injuries. Thirty-four percent had suffered from some type of problem relating to the Achilles tendon. Ten of the athletes who had suffered from Achilles tendon problems and ten who had never had any Achilles tendon trouble were randomly selected. These 20 runners underwent a clinical examination. The range of motion of the ankle joint was recorded objectively by a hydraulic and computerised isokinetic dynamometer by measuring resistance to passive motion. Concentric and eccentric muscle torques of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex were recorded. The runners with Achilles tendon problems had trained for significantly more years and covered significantly longer distances per week than runners without Achilles tendon problems. There were no significant differences in other training methods or in best results over 800 m and 1500 m. Runners with Achilles tendon problems had a significantly lower range of motion of the ankle joint. They also had significantly lower eccentric torques of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex, but no differences in concentric torques were found between the groups.