Incidence and sequence of scoliosis and windswept hip deformity: which comes first in 4148 children with cerebral palsy? A longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to analyse whether scoliosis or windswept hip deformity (WSH) occurs first for children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: This longitudinal cohort study using data from 1994 - 2020 (26 years) involved 41,600 measurements of 4148 children (2419 [58.3%] boys) with CP born 1990 - 2018 and registered into the Swedish CP follow-up program. Children were followed from a mean age of 2.8 [SD 1.4] years, until they developed either scoliosis or WSH or were removed at surgery. RESULTS: WSH developed first in 16.6% of the children (mean age 8.1 [SD 5.0] years), and scoliosis in 8.1% (mean age 8.1 [SD 4.9] years). The incidence of WSH was higher than scoliosis across all levels I-V of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), both sexes, and for those with dyskinetic (20.0%) or spastic (17.0%) CP. The incidence of scoliosis was highest (19.8%) and developed earliest in children with GMFCS level V (mean age 5.5 [SD 3.5] years), and in children with dyskinetic (17.9%) CP (mean age 7.0 [SD 4.7] years). CONCLUSIONS: WSH presents earlier than scoliosis in most children with CP. Children with higher GMFCS level or dyskinetic CP are more likely to develop these deformities at a younger age.

Relationship between scoliosis, windswept hips and contractures with pain and asymmetries in sitting and supine in 2450 children with cerebral palsy.

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study of 2450 children with cerebral palsy aimed to analyse the prevalence and association of scoliosis, windswept hips, hip and knee contractures. METHODS: Logistic regression was used to estimate associations with pain, postural asymmetries, and ability to change position for children at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-V, aged 0-18 years. RESULTS: Most children with a deformity or contracture had postural asymmetries in both sitting and supine positions; 10.5% had scoliosis, 8.7% windswept hips, 6.6% hip flexion and 19.2% knee contractures. Severe postural asymmetries increased the likelihood for scoliosis 9 times, for windswept hips 6 to 9 times, and for hip and knee flexion contractures 7 and 12 times respectively, adjusted for age, sex and GMFCS level. Hip flexion contractures and windswept hips increased the likelihood for pain by 1.5-1.6 times. CONCLUSION: The likelihood of having scoliosis, windswept hips and flexion contractures in the hips and knees increased if the child had postural asymmetries, and for increased age and higher GMFCS levels. Efforts should focus on preventing postural asymmetries from occurring or progressing, and on increasing the child's ability to change position. Reducing postural asymmetries may also reduce the likelihood of pain.Implications for RehabilitationThe risk of having scoliosis, windswept hip deformity and flexion contractures in the hips and knees increased if the child had postural asymmetries in sitting or lying.Efforts should focus on preventing or reducing postural asymmetries, and on increasing the child's ability to change position.Reducing postural asymmetries may also reduce the risk of pain.

Postural Asymmetries and Assistive Devices Used by Adults With Cerebral Palsy in Lying, Sitting, and Standing.

Purpose: To describe the use of assistive devices and postural asymmetries in lying, sitting and standing positions in adults with cerebral palsy, and to analyze postural asymmetries and any associations with their ability to maintain or change position and time in these positions. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on data from the Swedish Cerebral Palsy follow-up program of 1,547 adults aged 16-76 years, at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I (n = 330), II (n = 323), III (n = 235), IV (n = 298), and V (n = 361). Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, seating systems, adjustable beds, standing equipment and time in each position were reported. The Posture and Postural Ability Scale was used to identify asymmetries and rate the ability to maintain or change position. Binary logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) for postural asymmetries in supine, sitting and standing. Results: Assistive devices were used by 63% in sitting (range 5-100% GMFCS levels I-V), 42% in lying (4-92% levels I-V), and 32% in standing (2-70% levels II-V). Wheelchairs were used as seating systems by 57%. Most adults had postural asymmetries in supine (75%; range 35-100% levels I-V), sitting (81%; 50-99% levels I-V) and standing (88%; 65-100% levels I-V). Men were more likely than women to have postural asymmetries, and the likelihood of postural asymmetries increased with age, GMFCS levels and inability to change position. Inability to maintain position increased the probability of postural asymmetries in all positions from OR 2.6 in standing to OR 8.2 in lying and OR 13.1 in sitting. Conclusions: Almost twice as many adults used assistive devices in sitting than in lying or standing. Two thirds of the adults who used standing devices used it for <1 h per day, indicating that they might spend the remaining 23 out of 24 h per day either sitting or lying. Asymmetric postures were frequent across all ages and were highly associated with inability to change or maintain position.

Preferred posture in lying and its association with scoliosis and windswept hips in adults with cerebral palsy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the association of scoliosis and windswept hips with immobility, lying position, and time in lying, in adults with cerebral palsy (CP).Methods: This cross-sectional study included 830 adults (469 males and 361 females) with a diagnosis of CP, 16-73 years, and classified at levels I-V according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Subjects' Gross motor function classification system level, presence and severity of scoliosis, hip and knee joint range of movement, lying position, postural ability in lying, and time in lying were used to identify connections between them.Results: Adults who are immobile in the lying position have higher odds of both scoliosis and windswept hips. Spending more than 8 h daily in the same lying position, increased the odds of having scoliosis, while lying solely in a supine position, resulted in higher odds of windswept hips.Conclusions: The "preferred" habitual posture frequently observed in immobile adults with CP, leads to established distortion of their body shape. The results indicate the need for early introduction of appropriate posture control, in immobile individuals with CP, from a young age.Implications for rehabilitationThe preferred posture, observed in immobile adults with cerebral palsy, leads to a distortion of their body shape.One in four adults with cerebral palsy use only one position when in bed.The results indicate the need for early introduction of appropriate posture control in individuals unable to change position.

The effect of asymmetrical limited hip flexion on seating posture, scoliosis and windswept hip distortion.

BACKGROUND: Postural asymmetries with seating problems are common in adults with cerebral palsy. AIMS: To analyse the prevalence of asymmetrical limited hip flexion (<90°) in adults with CP, and to evaluate the association between asymmetrical limited hip flexion and postural asymmetries in the sitting position. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Cross-sectional data of 714 adults with CP, 16-73 years, GMFCS level I-V, reported to CPUP, the Swedish cerebral palsy national surveillance program and quality registry, from 2013 to 2015. Hip range of motion was analysed in relation to pelvic obliquity, trunk asymmetry, weight distribution, scoliosis and windswept hip distortion. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The prevalence of asymmetrical limited hip flexion increased as GMFCS level decreased. Of adults at GMFCS level V, 22% had asymmetrical limited hip flexion (<90°). The odds of having an oblique pelvis (OR 2.6, 95% CI:1.6-2.1), an asymmetrical trunk (OR 2.1, 95% CI:1.1-4.2), scoliosis (OR 3.7, 95% CI:1.3-9.7), and windswept hip distortion (OR 2.6, 95% CI:1.2-5.4) were higher for adults with asymmetrical limited hip flexion compared with those with bilateral hip flexion>90°. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Asymmetrical limited hip flexion affects the seating posture and is associated with scoliosis and windswept hip distortion.

Interrater reliability and construct validity of the Posture and Postural Ability Scale in adults with cerebral palsy in supine, prone, sitting and standing positions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate reliability, internal consistency and construct validity of the Posture and Postural Ability Scale for adults with cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Psychometric evaluation of a clinical assessment tool. SETTING: Rehabilitation centres in Sweden and Iceland. SUBJECTS: Thirty adults with cerebral palsy aged 19-22 years, six people at each level I-V of the Gross Motor Function Classification System. MAIN MEASURES: The Posture and Postural Ability Scale contains a 7-point ordinal scale for postural ability in supine, prone, sitting and standing, and items for assessment of posture. Posture and postural ability was rated from photos and videos by three independent assessors. Interrater reliability was calculated using weighted kappa. Internal consistency was analysed with Cronbach's alpha if item deleted and corrected item-total correlation. Construct validity was evaluated based on known groups, using Jonckheere Terpstra for averaged values of the three raters relative to the Gross Motor Function Classification System. RESULTS: There was an excellent interrater reliability (kappa = 0.85-0.99) and a high internal consistency (alpha = 0.96-0.97, item-total correlation = 0.60-0.91). Median values differed (P < 0.02) between known groups represented by the levels of gross motor function, showing construct validity for all items. CONCLUSION: The Posture and Postural Ability Scale showed an excellent interrater reliability for experienced raters, a high internal consistency and construct validity. It can detect postural asymmetries in adults with cerebral palsy at all levels of gross motor function.