Ambulation in Patients with Open Myelomeningocele followed from Infancy until over 15 Years of Age

VernacularTitle:乳児期から15歳以降まで経過観察した開放性脊髄髄膜瘤患者の移動能力
Author: Nobuhiko HAGA ; Kazuharu TAKIKAWA ; Arito YOZU
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: myelomeningocele; spina bifida; ambulation; neurosegmental level; obesity
From:The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2008;45(6):365-370
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: Ambulation in patients with spina bifida is affected by many factors, of which neurosegmental level is the most influential. In addition, some ambulatory patients experience deterioration over time, though longitudinal studies are scarce. This study investigated patient ambulation and its related factors in 21 patients with open myelomeningocele who were followed from infancy until over 15 years of age. In five patients, ambulation at the final visit exceeded the goal set up by Oki according to the patient's neurosegmental level. As these patients had L3 or L4 paralysis, our estimation of their neurosegmental level made according to Menelaus, which differs from that made using Sharrard's classification, may have influenced this result. Ambulation in five patients was below the goal, and two patients among this group experienced ambulatory deterioration during the follow-up period. In these five patients, as compared with the remaining 11 patients, the incidence of scoliosis, hip dysplasias, and obesity was higher, which may have influenced their lower ambulation status.