Article

Wheelchair dependent children with neuropathic and neuromuscular diseases have up
to 90% risk for progressive spine deformities. An unbalanced sitting can induce
progression of spinal and pelvic deformities. Many current clinical assessment
methods of sitting of such patients are semi-quantitative, or
questionnaire-based. A 3D movement analysis offers quantitative and objective
biomechanical analysis of sitting. The aim was to validate a method to describe
quiet sitting and differences between patients and controls as well as to apply
the methodology for pre- and post-operative comparison. The analysis was
performed on 14 patients and 10 controls. Four patients were retested after spine
surgery. Seat load asymmetry was up to 30% in the patient group comparing to
maximum 7% in the control group. The asymmetric position of Ground Reaction Force
vector between left and right sides was significant. Plumb line of cervical 7th vertebra over sacral 1st was different only in rotation.
The location of Common
Center of Pressure relative to inter-trochanteric midpoint was more anterior in
controls than in patients. Pelvic inclination in patients was smaller, the
obliquity and rotation was similar. There were no significant differences between
patients and controls of the thorax position. Results with more changes in the
seat-loading domain in comparison with posture indicate good postural control
compensation of spinal deformity induced disequilibrium despite neuromuscular
disease in the background.
The comparison of the pelvic obliquity data from
kinematics and X-ray showed good correlation. The four patients tested
postoperatively improved after surgery.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Langue : ANGLAIS