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Muscle Imbalances: Testing and Training Functional Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Athletic Populations
Published on: May 1, 2018
The effects of hamstring lengthening on hip rotation
Steven A Lovejoy1, Chester Tylkowski, Donna Oeffinger
1Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashvill, TN 37232-9565, USA. steven.a.lovejoy@vanderbilt.edu
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics
|February 23, 2007
Summary
Hamstring lengthening surgery in children with cerebral palsy spastic diplegia did not improve hip internal rotation. Alternative surgical options are recommended for treating hip internal rotation gait in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Surgery
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy spastic diplegia often involves gait abnormalities, including hip internal rotation.
- Hamstring lengthening is a surgical procedure sometimes used to address these issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of hamstring lengthening on hip rotation in children with cerebral palsy spastic diplegia.
- To determine if hamstring lengthening effectively corrects internal rotation gait.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 38 patients (76 hips) with cerebral palsy spastic diplegia.
- Preoperative and postoperative gait analysis, including physical examination and kinematic analysis.
- Comparison of hip rotation patterns before and after surgery.
Main Results:
- Postoperative gait analysis revealed increased knee extension and decreased popliteal angles.
- Kinematic analysis showed increased knee extension and decreased hip internal rotation during the gait cycle.
- No significant preoperative difference in hip rotation patterns was observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Hamstring lengthening alone did not sufficiently improve hip internal rotation in this patient cohort.
- Children with cerebral palsy spastic diplegia and significant hip internal rotation gait may require alternative surgical interventions.
- This study suggests reconsidering hamstring lengthening as a primary treatment for hip internal rotation in this population.
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