《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2017, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (6): 734-736.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2017.06.024

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Effects of Achilles Tendon Lengthening on Talipes Equinus in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

FANG Ke, LI Fan-ling, XIAO Sheng, LI Xin, LIU Hong   

  1. Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic, Hunan People's Hospital, Changsha, Hunan 410005, China
  • Received:2016-11-11 Revised:2017-02-09 Published:2017-06-25 Online:2017-06-27
  • Contact: Correspondence to XIAO Sheng. E-mail: 79136280@qq.com

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effects of Achilles tendon lengthening on talipes equinus in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods From December, 2013 to June, 2014, seventeen spastic cerebral palsy children with talipes equinus (34 feet) received Achilles tendon lengthening. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and surface electromyography from tibialis anterior and medial head of gastrocnemius were measured before and 8 to 12 months after operation, respectively. ROM of passive and active dorsiflexion, root mean square (RMS) of tibia muscle group and co-contraction ratio (CR) when standing were compared. Results The ROM of ankle passive and active dorsiflexion increased (Z>4.867, P<0.001), while the RMS of gastrocnemius muscle decreased when ankle passively dorsiflex (t=4.31, P<0.001). RMS of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle changed little when standing (Z<1.291, P>0.05), while CR reduced (t=2.38, P<0.05). Conclusion Achilles tendon lengthening can improve the coordination of tibia muscle group to increase the ROM of ankle for children with talipes equinus after spastic cerebral palsy.

Key words: cerebral palsy, spasticity, talipes equinus, Achilles tendon lengthening, surface electromyography, ankle

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