Limitation of ankle range of motion in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate and determine the factors related to active and passive dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM) in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which is the most obvious impairment of musculoskeletal function in such children.


METHODS
The subjects included 54 survivors of ALL treated on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute protocols and 54 comparable healthy children. Bilateral active and passive DF-ROM were measured with the knee extended.


RESULTS
The survivors of ALL had significantly less active and passive DF-ROM (6.4 vs. 16.8, 10.5 vs. 18.8 degrees, respectively, P < 0.001) than the comparison children. Weight for age at the time of assessment and change in height during treatment showed significant negative correlations with DF-ROM. Length of time-off treatment was not associated with DF-ROM.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple regression analyses identified the variables of age at diagnosis and gender as significant predictors of both DF-ROM measures following treatment. Children diagnosed at a younger age and females were at greater risk for restricted DF-ROM. Close monitoring and preventative therapy programs for this complication are warranted for children, especially young girls receiving treatment for ALL.
Wright
M J
MJ
Children's Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation and Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Halton
J M
JM
Barr
R D
RD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012044:Regression Analysis