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Hamstrings in cerebral palsy crouch gait
S A Hoffinger1, G T Rab, H Abou-Ghaida
1Section of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento.
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics
|November 1, 1993
Summary
In cerebral palsy (CP) patients with crouch gait, hamstrings can act as hip extensors. This finding suggests caution is needed before isolated hamstring lengthening surgery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Neurology
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Crouch gait in cerebral palsy (CP) is often treated with hamstring lengthening.
- Increased anterior pelvic tilt post-surgery suggests hamstrings may play a role in hip extension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional role of medial hamstrings as hip extensors in diplegic CP patients with crouch gait.
Main Methods:
- Three-dimensional motion analysis of hip and knee joints.
- Calculation of hamstring muscle length.
- Dynamic electromyography (EMG) of medial hamstrings in 16 CP patients.
Main Results:
- 12 out of 16 patients showed prolonged medial hamstring electrical activity.
- Eight of these patients demonstrated concentric hamstring contractions aiding hip extension during gait.
Conclusions:
- Medial hamstrings can function as important hip extensors in some CP patients with crouch gait.
- Consideration of other contributing deformities, like hip flexion contracture, is crucial before isolated hamstring lengthening.