Cortex - Paediatric orthopaedics 2 Flashcards
What is cerebral palsy?
It is a neuromuscular condition with onset before 2-3yrs old due to an insult to the immature brain before, during or after birth.
List some of the causes of cerebral palsy
- Antenatal (80%): e.g. cerebral malformation and congenital infection (rubella, toxoplasmosis, CMV)
- Intrapartum (10%): birth asphyxia/trauma
- Postnatal (10%): intraventricular haemorrhage, meningitis, head-trauma
What are the 3 main types of CP and the area of the nervous system they affect
- Spastic CP (80% of cases) caused by injury to the motor cortex, UMN’s or corticospinal tract - resulting in weakness and spasticity which may worsen as the child grows.
- Ataxic (which affects the cerebellum) - reduces co‐ordination and balance
- Athetoid (affecting the extrapyramidal motor system, the pyramidal tract and basal ganglia) - results in an uncontrolled writhing motion, sudden changes in tone and difficulties controlling speech.
Describe the different distribution patterns of CP
- Affect one limb = monoplegic
- One ipsilateral upper and lower limb = hemiplegic – the most common
- Both legs only = diplegic
- All 4 limbs = quadraplegia
Describe the presentation of cerebral palsy
Expression and severity varies
- muscle stiffness or floppiness (hypotonia)
- muscle weakness
- random and uncontrolled body movements
- balance and co-ordination problems
- repeated fits or seizures
- drooling problems and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
- Common to have communication and learning difficulties
What are some of the treatment options for CP ?
Non‐surgical tx:
- Physio and splintage (orthotics) to prevent contractures.
- Baclofen to reduce spasticity and Botox injection into spastic muscles.
Surgical tx:
- Hip excision or replacement to treat painful hip dislocation and subsequent problems with wheelchair sitting
- Surgical release of joint contractures
- Correction of severe scoliosis
- Joint fusions
- Tendon transfers.
What is spina bifida ?
- Where two halves of the posterior vertebral arch fail to fuse
- Can result in the contents of the vertebral canal herniate through the defect with either hernmiation of the meninges alone (a meningocele) or with the spinal cord or cauda equina.
What is polio ?
- A viral infection which affects motor anterior horn cells in the spinal cord or brainstem resulting in a lower motor neurone deficit.
- A variable degree of paralysis usually affecting a group of muscles of one limb within 2‐3 days. Some affected motor neurons recover with recovery of weakness however residual paralysis can occur.
What does the term limb malformations encompass?
- Extra bones,
- Absent bones,
- Short (hypoplastic) bones
- Fusions of bones and/or skin and soft tissues.
What is syndactyly ?
Congenital malformation of the limbs where two digits (fingers or toes) are fused due to failure of separation of the skin/soft tissues or phalanges of adjacent digits either partially or along the entire length of the digits
What is polydactyly ?
An extra digit is formed and can be treated by amputating the extra digit
What is fibular hemimelia ?
Partial or complete absence of the fibula leading to a shortened limb, bowing of the tibia and ankle deformity
What is the most common congenital fusion (e.g. bones fusing together)
Tarsal coalition where the two tarsal bones of the foot fuse together which can cause painful flat feet
What is Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy and who does it often occur in?
Injury to the brachial plexus during vaginal delivery
Most commonly in:
- Large babies
- twin deliveries
- Shoulder dystocia (difficult delivery of the shoulder after the head with compression of the shoulder on the pubic symphysis).
What are the two main types of obstetric brachial plexus palsy ?
Erbs palsy (most common one) and Klumpke’s palsy