Outcome of gastrocnemius recession and tendo-achilles lengthening in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Preoperative and postoperative gait analysis data were retrospectively studied for 54 children with cerebral palsy who had undergone either gastrocnemius recession (GR) or tendo-achilles lengthening (TAL) as part of multi-level surgery. Decision-making between GR and TAL was based on the Silfverskiöld test. The TAL group had greater equinus preoperatively than the GR group. Both groups showed significant improvement in static and dynamic dorsiflexion and in outcome measured by a modified Physician Rating Scale (PRS) postoperatively. Calf spasticity decreased and push-off power increased after GR. Both GR and TAL are effective in appropriately selected patients. However, a potential for over- and under-correction with both GR and TAL was demonstrated.