Distal hamstring tendon release in knee flexion deformity.

Hamstring tendon release was performed in thirty-one children for correction of true knee flexion deformity due to neurological disease. The long-term results in the thirty cases (55 knees) available for review were encouraging. Functional walking capacity and independence improved in nearly all cases. No complication occurred and there was no recurrence of the deformity despite an average follow-up period of five years. The results suggest that distal hamstring tendon release can be recommended in the management of true knee flexion deformity in selected cases of cerebral palsy and meningomyelocele.