Advertisement for orthosearch.org.uk
You currently have no access to view or download this content. Please log in with your institutional or personal account if you should have access to through either of these
The Bone & Joint Journal Logo

Receive monthly Table of Contents alerts from The Bone & Joint Journal

Comprehensive article alerts can be set up and managed through your account settings

View my account settings

Walking ability after transplantation of the iliopsoas. A long-term follow-up



Download PDF

Abstract

Of 47 patients with spina bifida who had had transplantation of the iliopsoas more than 10 years previously, 32 (68%) were community walkers, 3 were household walkers and 12 were non-walkers. Comparison with other published reports showed that, at the very least, the patients reviewed had not had their walking ability jeopardized by the inevitable loss of hip flexor power. Furthermore, all but three of the community walkers were able to climb and descend stairs. There was a high proportion of non-walkers in those patients whose operation had been performed in the first year of life and such early surgery is no longer recommended. We also found that the pre-operative assessment of muscle power had, in some patients, been inaccurate. Finally, we found that, at review, the power of the transferred muscles was poor, suggesting that transplantation is beneficial because it achieves permanent and major reduction in hip flexor power; this usually prevents recurrent hip flexion deformity and dislocation.

For access options please click here