The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 73, Issue 1 59-65, Copyright © 1991 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Posterior transfer of the adductors in children who have cerebral palsy. A long-term study
DD Aronson, PJ Zak, CL Lee, RO Bollinger and RL Lamont
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit 48201.
Seventy-eight posterior transfers of the adductors of the hip in forty-two
children who has spastic cerebral palsy were reviewed an average of 5.7
years after the operation (range, two to 14.6 years). The results were
assessed on the basis of the patient's ability to walk, the range of motion
of the affected hip or hips, and the radiographic measurements. In 88 per
cent of the patients, the transfer was successful in improving or
maintaining abduction, extension, functional walking, and stability of the
hip. The failures were all in patients who were unable to walk and who had
spastic quadriplegia. Tenotomy of the iliopsoas tendon at the time of the
transfer procedure resulted in an improved range of motion of the hip.