Marie Eriksson

Heart rate and walking velocity during independent walking in children with low and midlumbar myelomeningocele.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the heart rate and walking velocity of children with low and midlumbar myelomeningocele (MMC) using two types of orthoses. METHODS Eight children with low and midlumbar myelomeningocele (mean age = 10.7 years) participated in the study. A clinical examination of muscle strength in the lower limbs was performed, and level of functional ambulation was defined. Weight and height were documented, and body mass index was calculated. Heart rate was recorded by a transmitter detecting heart beats, and walking time was registered as the children walked as far as possible along a straight corridor of 102 meters at a self-selected velocity. Two orthosis types were tested, each three times. RESULTS All children showed higher heart rate than peers who were nondisabled. No steady-state heart rate level that could be used as a basis for calculating physiological cost index was achieved in any subject. In this study group, no difference was seen in heart rate trends with respect to the two tested orthoses. The children who were household ambulators, all with weaker hip abductors and hip extensors, walked with lower velocity than those who were community ambulators (all with stronger hip muscles). The children in the former group also walked significantly shorter distances, however, with similar heart rate. CONCLUSIONS Pausing when the heart rate reaches a strenuous activity level is interpreted as a solution to maintain functional walking by keeping the heart rate and thus the energy expenditure at a comfortable level.

Gait in children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

PurposeLower limb contractures and muscle weakness are common in children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC). To enhance or facilitate ambulation, orthoses may be used. The aim of this study was to describe gait pattern among individuals wearing their habitual orthotic devices.MethodsFifteen children with AMC, mean age 12.4 (4.3) years, with some lower limb involvement underwent 3-D gait analysis. Three groups were defined based on orthosis use; Group 1 used knee–ankle–foot orthoses with locked knee joints, Group 2 used ankle–foot orthoses or knee–ankle–foot orthoses with open knee joints and Group 3 used no orthoses.ResultsThe greatest trunk and pelvis movements in all planes and the greatest hip abduction were observed in Group 1, compared to Groups 2 and 3, as well as to the gait laboratory control group. Maximum hip extension was similar in Groups 1 and 2, but in Group 3, there was less hip extension and large deviations from the control data. Lower cadence and walking speed were observed in Group 1 than in Groups 2 and 3. The step length was similar in all groups and also with respect to the gait laboratory reference values.ConclusionsChildren with AMC were subdivided according to orthoses use. Kinematic data as recorded with 3-D gait analysis showed differences among the groups in trunk, pelvis and knee kinematics, and in cadence and walking speed. The step length was similar in all groups and to the gait laboratory reference values, which may be attributable to good hip extension strength in all participants.

Influence of heel lifts during standing in children with motor disorders

Heel wedges may influence standing posture but how and to what extent are unknown. Thirty-two children with motor disorders - 16 with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) and 16 with cerebral palsy (CP) - and 19 control children underwent a three-dimensional motion analysis. Unassisted standing during 20s with shoes only and with heel lifts of 10, 20 and 30mm heights was recorded in a randomized order. The more weight-bearing limb or the right limb was chosen for analysis. In both the AMC and CP groups, significant changes were seen between various heel lifts in ankle, knee and pelvis, and in the control group in the ankle only. Between orthosis and non-orthosis users significant differences were seen between different heel lift conditions in ankle, knee and trunk in the AMC group and in the ankle in the CP group. Pelvis position changed toward less anterior tilt with increasing heel height, but led to increasing knee flexion in most of the children, except for the AMC Non-Ort group. Children with AMC and CP represent different motor disorders, but the heel wedges had a similar influence on pelvis, hip and knee positions in all children with CP and in the AMC orthosis users. A challenge is to apply heel heights adequate to each individuals orthopaedic and neurologic conditions to improve biomechanical alignment with respect to all body segments.

Health-related quality of life and orthosis use in a Swedish population with arthrogryposis

Background: Joint contractures are the main characteristics for children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Orthoses are often used to enable or facilitate walking. Objectives: To describe health-related quality of life in children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and satisfaction with orthoses in those using orthoses. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 33 children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita participated in the study. Questionnaires were used which measured health-related quality of life (Child Health Questionnaire–Parent Form and EQ-5D youth), mobility and self-care (Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory) and satisfaction with orthoses (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology 2.0). Children were divided into groups based on the use of orthoses: Ort-D were dependent on orthoses for walking, Ort-ND used orthoses but were not dependent on them for walking and Non-Ort did not use orthoses. Results: Children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita had significantly lower Child Health Questionnaire scores in 9 of 12 subscales compared to healthy controls. The children’s reported perceived health with EQ-5D youth did not show any difference between children using orthoses or children using only shoes. Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory showed less mobility in Ort-D than in Non-Ort. In total, both orthosis groups were ‘quite satisfied’ with their orthoses. Conclusion: Child Health Questionnaire–physical functioning was lowest in children who were dependent on orthoses (Ort-D) for walking. Both Ort-D and Ort-ND were similar satisfied with their orthoses. Clinical relevance This study contributes to knowledge about health-related quality of life in a group of ambulatory children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. For children using orthoses, it is relevant to capture their opinion about their orthoses but a questionnaire specifically for children should be developed.

Gait dynamics in the wide spectrum of children with arthrogryposis: a descriptive study

BackgroundArthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) is a heterogeneous condition characterized by multiple joint contractures at birth. Greater movements in the trunk and pelvis during walking have been observed in children with AMC using orthoses compared to those wearing only shoes. This study investigated gait dynamics in children with AMC and identified compensatory mechanisms that accommodate walking.MethodsTwenty-six children with AMC who walked with orthoses or shoes and a control group consisting of 37 typically-developing children were evaluated in 3D gait analysis. Children with AMC were divided into subgroups based on which joints needed to be stabilized in the sagittal plane; AMC1 used knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs) with locked knee joints, AMC2 used KAFOs with open knee joints or ankle-foot orthoses, and AMC3 used shoes.ResultsThe Gait Deviation Index was lower in AMC groups than in the control group, with the lowest in AMC1. Excessive trunk movements in frontal and transverse planes were observed in AMC2 and especially in AMC1. Lower hip flexion moment was found in AMC1, while AMC2 and AMC3 showed similar hip flexion moments as the control group. Knee extension moments were similar between the groups. In the frontal plane there were only small differences between the groups in hip abduction moment. A joint work analysis indicated greater contribution from the hip muscles to overall positive work in AMC groups, particularly in AMC1, than in the control group.ConclusionAll AMC groups showed less hip extension than the control group, but hip flexion moment was significantly lower only in AMC1, which can be attributed to their gait strategy with bilateral locked KAFOs. AMC1, who had weak knee extensors, were helped by their locked KAFOs and therefore showed similar knee extension moment as the other groups. This finding, together with their gait patterns, demonstrates the children’s high reliance on hip muscles and presumably trunk muscles to provide propulsion. Our study shows that with adequate orthotic support, children with AMC and even with severe weakness and contractures can achieve walking.

MP56-17 UNDERTREATMENT OF MEN IN THEIR SEVENTIES WITH HIGH RISK, NON-METASTATIC PROSTATE CANCER

Background: Many elderly men with high-risk nonmetastatic prostate cancer (HRnMPCa) do not receive radical treatment, despite the high mortality associated with conservative management. Objective: To investigate how age and comorbidity affect treatment of men with HRnMPCa. Design, setting, and participants: This was an observational nationwide register study during 2001–2012. We identified 19 190 men of <80 yr of age diagnosed with HRnMPCa in the National Prostate Cancer Register of Sweden and 95 948 age-matched men without prostate cancer in the register of the total population. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The outcome was the proportion of men with HRnMPCa receiving radical treatment (radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy). Vital status and the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) were obtained from nationwide registers. The 10-yr survival of men without prostate cancer, stratified by age and CCI, was used as a measure of the life expectancy of the men with prostate cancer. Results and limitations: The proportions receiving radical treatment varied with life expectancy among men younger than 70 yr, whereas use of these treatments did not match the long life expectancy of men in their seventies with CCI 0–1. Only 10% of men aged 75–80 yr with CCI 0 received radical treatment despite 52% probability of 10-yr life expectancy, compared with approximately half of the men younger than 70 yr with a similar life expectancy. The use of radical treatment for HRnMPCa increased with time in all Swedish counties, but a threefold difference between counties remained in 2009– 2012 for patients aged 70–80 yr with CCI 0-1. Uncertain external validity is a study limitation, and the impact of physician versus patient preferences on treatment selection could not be assessed. Conclusions: Otherwise healthy men in their seventies with HRnMPCa were less likely to receive radical treatment than younger men with a similar life expectancy, although increasing use of radical treatment was observed during the study period. Our findings highlight the need for improved methods for clinical decision-making, including improved assessment of life expectancy.