Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Lower limb surgery in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

J Forst1, R Forst

  • 1Orthopaedic Department, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany. j.forst@t-online.de

Neuromuscular Disorders : NMD
|June 26, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Early lower limb surgery in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients significantly prolonged independent walking by 1.25 years. This intervention improved contracture release and maintained ambulation in all treated patients aged 6-8 years.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

[Musculoskeletal symptoms in patients with post-polio syndrome].

Zeitschrift fur Orthopadie und Unfallchirurgie·2014
Same author

[Long-term results of Imhäuser osteotomy for chronic slipped femoral head epiphysiolysis].

Der Orthopade·2012
Same author

[Botulinum toxin a treatment in spastic forms of cerebral palsy: a retrospective clinical study].

Zeitschrift fur Orthopadie und Unfallchirurgie·2012
Same author

[Periprosthetic femoral bone reaction after total hip arthroplasty with preservation of the collum femoris : CT-assisted osteodensitometry 1 and 3 years postoperatively].

Der Orthopade·2011
Same author

17-year follow-up of the rough-blasted threaded Weill cup in uncemented total hip arthroplasty.

Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery·2010
Same author

[Current strategies of conservative and operative treatment of the most frequent muscular disorders].

Der Orthopade·2009

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedic surgery
  • Pediatric neurology
  • Rehabilitation medicine

Background:

  • Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive genetic disorder leading to severe muscle weakness and contractures.
  • Lower limb contractures significantly impair mobility and quality of life in DMD patients.
  • Early surgical intervention is explored to manage contractures and prolong ambulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term effects of early bilateral lower limb surgery on ambulation and contractures in DMD patients.
  • To compare the outcomes of operated DMD patients with a control group representing the natural history of the disease.
  • To assess the impact of surgery on functional mobility scores.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, open-label study involving 213 DMD patients undergoing hip/knee release, iliotibial band aponeurectomy, and Achilles tendon lengthening.

Related Experiment Videos

  • A subgroup of 87 patients received surgery during early joint mobility restrictions (average age 6.56 years).
  • Comparison with a control group of 100 non-operated DMD patients; follow-up averaged 5.4 years.

    • Main Results:

    • Significant release of contractures (P < 0.001) was achieved in operated patients.
    • Independent ambulation was prolonged by an average of 1.25 years (operated: 10.55 years vs. control: 9.29 years).
    • All surgically treated patients aged 6-8 years maintained independent walking ability; functional scores (Hammersmith, CIDD, Vignos) improved.

    Conclusions:

    • Early lower limb surgery in DMD patients effectively releases contractures and prolongs independent ambulation.
    • Surgery also extends assisted standing ability with minimal contractures, crucial for quality of life.
    • Further research is needed to explore combined steroid therapy with surgery to further enhance ambulation duration.