The prevalence, rate of progression, and treatment of elbow flexion contracture in children with brachial plexus birth palsy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Elbow flexion contracture is a well-known complication of brachial plexus birth palsy that adversely affects upper-extremity function. The prevalence, risk factors, and rate of progression of elbow flexion contracture associated with brachial plexus birth palsy have not been established, and the effectiveness of nonoperative treatment involving nighttime splinting or serial casting has not been well studied.

Methods

The medical records of 319 patients with brachial plexus birth palsy who had been seen at our institution between 1992 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients with an elbow flexion contracture (≥10°). The chi-square test for trend and the Kaplan-Meier estimator were used to evaluate risk factors for contracture, including age, sex,

SUBMITTER: Sheffler LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3284859 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature