Abstract
PurposeIn children with cerebral palsy (CP), braces are used to counteract progressive joint and muscle contracture and improve function. We examined the effects of positional ankle–foot braces on contracture of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and gait in children with CP while referencing to typically developing children.MethodsSeventeen independently ambulant children with CP and calf muscle contracture (age 10.4 ± 3.0y) and 17 untreated typically developing peers (age 9.5 ± 2.6y) participated. Children with CP were analysed before and 16 ± 4 weeks after ankle–foot bracing. MG muscle belly length and thickness, tendon and fascicle length, as well as their extensibility were captured by 2D ultrasound and 3D motion capturing during passive, manually applied stretches. In addition, 3D gait analysis was conducted.ResultsPrior to bracing, the MG muscle–tendon unit in children with CP was 22 % less extensible. At matched amounts of muscle–tendon unit stretch, the muscle belly and fascicles in CP were 7 % and 14 % shorter while the tendon was 11 % longer. Spastic fascicles displayed 32 % less extensibility than controls. Brace wear increased passive dorsiflexion primarily with the knees flexed. During gait, children walked faster and foot lift in swing improved. MG muscle belly and tendon length showed little change, but fascicles further shortened (−11 %) and muscle thickness (−8 %) decreased.ConclusionsUse of ankle–foot braces improves function but may lead to a loss of sarcomeres in series, which could explain the shortened fascicles. To potentially induce gastrocnemius muscle growth, braces may also need to extend the knee or complementary training may be necessary to offset the immobilizing effects of braces.
Highlights
Symptomology of spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP) includes, but is not limited to, muscular weakness, overactivity and contracture [1]
We examined the effects of positional ankle–foot braces on contracture of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP) while referencing to typically developing children
MG muscle belly length and thickness, tendon and fascicle length, as well as their extensibility were captured by 2D ultrasound and 3D motion capturing during passive, manually applied stretches
Summary
Symptomology of spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP) includes, but is not limited to, muscular weakness, overactivity and contracture [1]. Muscular contractures are thought to some degree to reflect muscle tissue that fails to keep up with bone growth [2]. Equinus gait compromises balance and is fatiguing, since it requires more activity of the triceps surae [5]. Muscle contracture of the triceps surae seems to deteriorate. By holding joints near their end-range, progressive contracture should be counteracted and spastic muscles are assumed to untighten and grow at a rate more equal to that of the bone. It is unclear how bracing affects the muscle morphometrics in spastic equinus deformity
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