[Orthopaedic problems in adults with cerebral palsy].

BACKGROUND

There is little information about the need for orthopaedic surgery in adults with cerebral palsy; we wanted to assess this problem.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The material included 37 adults with cerebral palsy (19 women and 18 men), mean age 39. The degree of physical disability was mild in 19 cases, moderate or severe in 18. The patients were assessed by clinical examination and radiographs of hips and spine.

RESULTS

15 patients had pain located to the spine or lower extremities but no-one had severe or invalidating pain. Subjects with moderate or severe disability had a markedly reduced range of motion in the hip and knee joints. Subluxation or dislocation of the hip joints was found in six patients but only one of them had hip pain. Orthopaedic surgery had been performed in 23 patients. In 8 patients we found indications for additional orthopaedic surgery aimed at relieving pain, reducing contractures or improving function. The most frequent procedures would be tenotomies in the hip and knee regions, heel cord lengthening, and triple arthrodesis of the foot.

INTERPRETATION: Regular follow-up of adults with cerebral palsy is recommended in order to reveal musculoskeletal problems that can be improved by orthopaedic surgery.