THE SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA

¹ New York Orthopaedic Hospital, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, N. Y.

The locomotor disturbance present in Friedreich's ataxia is due to inherent neurological factors and to musculoskeletal disabilities. Structural foot deformities and instability are frequently responsible for abnormalities of gait and stance. These physical factors may be causes of dysfunction as significant as the ataxia itself.

While there is no known treatment for the fundamental disease process, prevention and adequate correction of foot deformity aids normal locomotion, prolonging the patient's mobility, delaying the day he must eventually become bedridden, and even lengthening his life span.

In the abortive or non-progressive type of Friedreich's ataxia, surgical correction of the deformity is of permanent value. In the progressive type, although surgical intervention may not basically alter the natural pattern of the disease, the period of normal activity is likely to be extended for many years.

It is emphasized that the general reluctance to undertake surgical correction of deformity is unjustified; that the risks involved are no greater than in other cases presenting similar deformities; and that the correction of the deformity has a markedly beneficial effect on the ataxia.

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