VIDEO: Single-stage treatment may improve ambulation for patients with arthrogryposis
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Key takeaways:
- A single-stage treatment for pediatric patients with arthrogryposis improved mechanics and ambulation.
- The treatment involved femoral shortening, peroneal nerve decompression and posterior knee release.
Results showed a single-stage treatment involving femoral shortening, peroneal nerve decompression and posterior knee release may improve knee mechanics and ambulatory ability for pediatric patients with arthrogrypotic knee deformities.
Michael W. Brown, BS, a medical student at The Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, discussed results of his retrospective chart review, which was presented at the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society Annual Meeting.
Brown and colleagues analyzed data from 51 knees from 29 patients (mean age, 5.7 years) with arthrogrypotic knee deformities to assess the effectiveness of a single-stage treatment to increase knee range of motion with lasting results.
“Previously, studies had shown that while the arc of motion had been changed for these patients — meaning that they went from having their knee stuck in flexion to now being able to have full extension and able to ambulate — we hadn’t seen them be able to maintain that range of motion,” Brown told Healio. “This is important because, in attempting to give them the ability to ambulate, it would affect their ability to sit if their legs were stuck in full extension,” he added.
Brown and colleagues found patients who were treated with femoral shortening, peroneal nerve decompression and posterior knee release had significant improvement in knee arc of motion at a minimum 2-year follow-up. They found knee flexion deformity decreased from 46° to 10° and knee range of motion increased from 49° to 80° at a mean follow-up of 36.9 months. In addition, Brown noted patients had significant improvements in ambulatory ability after treatment.
“This study gives hope to families and helps patients live a more functional life,” Brown concluded.
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Brown MW, et al. Increasing the knee arc of motion in patients with arthrogryposis: Minimum
2-year follow-up. Presented at: Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society Annual Meeting; July 11-13, 2024; Hollywood Beach, Florida.
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