Distal hamstring elongation in the management of spastic cerebral palsy.

Forty-nine children with spastic cerebral palsy treated by distal hamstring elongation and followed for an average of 4.4 years were reviewed. The aim of the operation was to release hamstring tightness to improve the patients' level of function and efficiency and the cosmetic appearance of their gait. Forty patients had significant improvement in gait pattern, and 18 had improved motor function. Complications included transient stiff-legged gait and exaggerated lumbar lordosis. One patient with spastic quadriceps had 15 degrees of persistent genu recurvatum.