Abstract

Background: Torsional disorders and flexed knee gait are frequently pronounced in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) children. Identification of these anomalies is essential as they affect postural control and balance reactions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between femoral anteversion(FA) angle, knee angle and balance in spastic diplegic CP children.

Methods: Cross-sectional correlational design utilizing a sample of 40 spastic diplegic children (21 girls and 19 boys). Their ages ranged from 5 to7 years with mean±standard deviation 6.04±0.47 years. FA, knee flexion angles and balance were measured by3-D axial CT scan, two digital cameras with the resultant captured video processed using Tracker Video Analysis and Pediatric Balance Scale, respectively.

Results: Data analysis revealed that there were statistically significant moderate negative correlations between FA angles for both sides and balance scores. Strong statistically significant negative association was found between knee flexion angles and balance scores for both sides. The correlations between FA angles and knee flexion angles were found to be statistically significant strong positive association (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Increased femoral anteversion has positive correlation with knee flexion angle and negative correlation with balance in diplegic CP children. These results provide objective information in formulation of rehabilitation strategies to select appropriate treatments for functional abnormalities.

Keywords: Cerebral palsy, Spastic diplegia, Femoral anteversionangle, knee flexion angle, Balance