Range of Motion Limitations in Middle-aged Adults With Cerebral Palsy.

OBJECTIVE

To describe limitations in range of motion (ROM) in middle-aged adults with cerebral palsy (CP), and identify associations with CP subtype, gross motor function, sex and age.

DESIGN

Population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Local and regional referral centers.

PARTICIPANTS

Inclusion criteria: diagnosis of CP, born 1959 to 1978 and living in the county of Västra Götaland, Sweden. In the population-based register of CP in Western Sweden, 417 subjects were identified and 139 volunteered to participate. Adults with CP, born elsewhere, who had moved into the area were invited through patient organizations and habilitation units, and eleven chose to participate. In total 150 participants, age 37-58 years (mean 48) 65 women (43%) (N=150). All CP subtypes and Gross Motor Function Classification (GMFCS) levels were represented.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Passive ROM was measured in the upper and lower extremity and was classified into 4 levels (inspired by The Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure and adapted from the values of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons); good=1, vs mild=2, moderate=3 or severe=4 limitation. The results were summarized to obtain a total score of the participants' ROM limitations.

RESULTS

Moderate to severe limitations were present in 98 % of the participants. There was a correlation to GMFCS level in both the upper and lower extremity (<.001), but no correlation with age. Upper extremity limitations were most common in dyskinetic CP, lower extremity limitations were most common in dyskinetic CP and bilateral spastic CP. Men had more limitations in the lower extremity (=.001). The most common limitation in the lower extremity was hamstrings tightness (82%) and hip abduction (80%), and in the upper extremity, limited shoulder abduction (57%).

CONCLUSIONS

Limited ROM is common in adults with CP, most pronounced in shoulders, hip joints and hamstrings muscles, with no differences related to age in this age-span.