Length and force of the gastrocnemius and soleus during gait following tendo Achilles lengthenings in children with equinus.
Nine subjects (12 sides) with cerebral palsy who walked in equnius were evaluated prior to and 1 year after surgical tendo Achilles lengthening. Gastrocnemius and soleus length [Gait Posture, 6 (1997) 9] and plantarflexor force [Gait Posture, 6 (1997) 9; J Biomech, 23 (1990) 495] were calculated. The length of the gastrocnemius and soleus increased significantly (P<0.01) following the intervention. Force output of the triceps surae during push-off increased significantly (13.95 N/kg body weight (BW) preop to 30.31 N/kg BW postop; P<0.01). Assessment of the force-length capacity of the triceps surae in candidates for tendo Achilles lengthenings may identify individuals at risk of residual weakness and iatrogenic crouch.
Orendurff
Michael S
MS
Motion Analysis Laboratory, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, OR, USA. mso@shcc.org
Aiona
Michael D
MD
Dorociak
Robin D
RD
Pierce
Rosemary A
RA
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000601:surgery*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D004863:Equinus Deformity / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome