Results of orthotic treatment in children with myelomeningocele.

The level of paralysis in children with myelomeningocele is not necessarily the only factor determining whether they will be able to walk. If children, even with a high level of paralysis, have an appropriate motivation to walk they should be enabled to do so by surgically correcting their hip and knee flexion contraction and/or high degree of scoliosis. 106 children with spina bifida were provided with walking orthosis and were examined concerning their walking speed, walking distance, stepping distance, and how long they used their orthosis. We found that hip and knee flexion contraction as well as scoliosis substantially influenced their mobility. Therefore those handicaps should be surgically corrected if patients show an appropriate motivation to walk.