One-year follow-up study of serial orthotic treatment in two cases with arthrogrypotic syndromes who have bilateral knee flexion contractures

Abstract

Background: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effectiveness of serial splinting in two children with bilateral knee flexion contractures due to arthrogrypotic syndrome. Case description and methods: We evaluated the infants' passive knee extension limitation and motor development levels. Serial orthotic treatment was applied to decrease bilateral knee flexion contractures in the knees of the subjects. The follow-up period was up to 1 year. Findings and outcomes: At the end of serial orthotic treatment, improvement in bilateral passive extension limitation (for the first case, the increase in passive range of extension was approximately 75°, for the second case it was 45°) was achieved in both cases. Conclusion: We believe that serial orthotic intervention is effective in patients with arthrogrypotic syndrome at the preoperative period or in patients who cannot be operated on. Further studies are needed for evaluation of effectiveness of this method. © The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2014.