Joint deformity patterns in severely physically disabled patients.

Deformity patterns of the spine and upper and lower extremities were investigated in 64 patients with severe physical disability. Among the subjects, C-shaped and S-shaped scoliosis was found in 48 and nine, respectively. The hips were windblown in 20, adducted in 22, and abducted in seven. Knees were flexed in 39 and extended in four. Deformities of the ankle and upper extremities were variable. The most common combination, which was C-shaped scoliosis with convexity to the adducted side of hips, windblown hips, flexed knees, and dorsiflexed ankles, was noted among nine patients. Joint deformity patterns in the 43 patients with spastic tetraplegia were not significantly different from those in the 21 patients with dyskinesia.