[Treatment results of modified Glorion-Rideau release in Duchenne muscular dystrophy]

Although the cause of Duchenne muscular dystrophy has been recently found, there is no causal treatment to alter the natural course of this disease. Based on the recommendations by Glorion and Rideau with early treatment of contractures of the hips and the lower limbs we performed a modified release of the spina muscles, resection of tensor fasciae latae and a lengthening of the tendo calcaneus in 32 patients. The mean ae of DMD patients at time of operation was 6.1 yrs. The mean follow-up was 3.4 yrs. All children underwent mobilization the day after surgery. Complete correction of all contractures was immediately achieved after operation and kept in all but two cases up to the follow-up examination. No loss of ambulation was observed. Our results demonstrate that early selective surgery in DMD patients before or just at the onset of contractures without performing an additional aponeurectomy of the iliotibial band and percutaneous tenotomy of the hamstrings according to the original Glorion-Rideau-technique safely prevents severe contractures and should prolong ambulation.