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Musculoskeletal modelling in determining the effect of botulinum toxin on the hamstrings of patients with crouch gait
Author(s) -
Thompson NS,
Baker RJ,
Cosgrove AP,
Corry IS,
Graham HK
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1998.tb15428.x
Subject(s) - hamstring , pelvic tilt , gait , medicine , botulinum toxin , kinematics , gait analysis , physical medicine and rehabilitation , hamstring muscles , hip flexion , electromyography , physical therapy , anatomy , range of motion , anesthesia , pelvis , physics , classical mechanics
This study aimed to determine the effect of hamstring botulinum toxin A (Btx‐A) injection in 10 children with crouch gait in terms of changes in muscle length and lower‐limb kinematics. Before Btx‐A injection limb kinematics were recorded. Maximum hamstring lengths and excursions were calculated by computer modelling of the lower limb. Data were compared with the averaged hamstring lengths of 10 control children. Hamstrings were denned as short if their length was shorter than the average maximum length minus one standard deviation. Gait analysis was repeated 2 weeks after isolated hamstring Btx‐A injection. Pre‐ and postinjection kinematic data and muscle lengths were then compared. Four of 18 injected limbs in three subjects had short medial hamstring before injection, none of the subjects had short lateral hamstrings. Muscle excursion was significantly reduced in the short and adequate maximum muscle length groups. A significant increase in the semimembranosus and semitendinosus length in all of the injected limbs was noted. Only in the short muscle group was a significant increase in muscle excursion observed. Knee extension improved by 13° in the adequate muscle length group and by 15.6° in the short muscle length group. Pelvic tilt and hip flexion increased in both groups non‐significantly. Average walking speed postinjection increased from 0.60 ms ‐1 to 0.71 ms ‐1 . Short hamstrings are over‐diagnosed in crouch gait. Hamstring Btx‐A injection in patients with crouch gait produces significant, repeatable muscle lengthening and improved ambulatory function.