A long-term retrospective study of proximal hamstring release for hamstring contracture in cerebral palsy.
Proximal hamstring release was used exclusively for hamstring contracture in patients with spastic cerebral palsy. Average follow-up was 9 years 5 months. Thirty-two of 78 patients were examined retrospectively. Straight leg raising increased from 30 to 68 degrees. Knee flexion contracture decreased from 16 to 9 degrees. Knee flexion contractures of greater than 10 degrees were not permanently corrected. Only four of 64 knees were in mild (5-10 degrees) recurvatum at follow-up. Lumbar lordosis averaged 53 degrees at follow-up, and hip flexion contracture release apparently had little effect on lumbar lordosis. Proximal hamstring release can be used by this described technique without severe lumbar lordosis or devastating genu recurvatum.
D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003286:Contracture / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008134:Long-Term Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013710:Tendons / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*