Evaluation of physiotherapy in the treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
INTRODUCTION: Physiotherapy using muscle strengthening and stretching exercises is claimed to have beneficial effects in the treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease; however, no scientific evidence is available concerning effectiveness of treatment. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to clinically evaluate possible effects of the proposed physiotherapeutic effects compared to observational follow-up in patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. METHOD: A prospective follow-up study was conducted in 17 patients with unilateral Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, divided into 2 groups: Group A (observational follow-up) and Group B (physiotherapeutic follow-up). In order to evaluate the outcome of the adopted treatments, the following parameters were assessed: articular range of motion, level of muscular strength, level of articular dysfunction, and radiographic status, both before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Group B exhibited significant improvement in articular range of motion concerning hip flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, medial rotation, and lateral rotation, while in Group A an equally significant worsening occurred concerning abduction, adduction, and medial rotation. Muscular strength also improved in Group B, mainly in the set of hip flexor muscles, while Group A showed no changes. Articular dysfunction after therapy compared to pretherapy was significantly reduced in Group B and increased in Group A. Patients undergoing physiotherapy exercises showed no changes in their radiographic features. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapy produced significant improvement in articular range of motion, muscular strength, and articular dysfunction in patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, but these improvements were not evident on radiographs.
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Faculdade de Medicina / USP
2006
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| Online Access: | http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1807-59322006000600006 |
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| Summary: | INTRODUCTION: Physiotherapy using muscle strengthening and stretching exercises is claimed to have beneficial effects in the treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease; however, no scientific evidence is available concerning effectiveness of treatment. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to clinically evaluate possible effects of the proposed physiotherapeutic effects compared to observational follow-up in patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. METHOD: A prospective follow-up study was conducted in 17 patients with unilateral Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, divided into 2 groups: Group A (observational follow-up) and Group B (physiotherapeutic follow-up). In order to evaluate the outcome of the adopted treatments, the following parameters were assessed: articular range of motion, level of muscular strength, level of articular dysfunction, and radiographic status, both before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Group B exhibited significant improvement in articular range of motion concerning hip flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, medial rotation, and lateral rotation, while in Group A an equally significant worsening occurred concerning abduction, adduction, and medial rotation. Muscular strength also improved in Group B, mainly in the set of hip flexor muscles, while Group A showed no changes. Articular dysfunction after therapy compared to pretherapy was significantly reduced in Group B and increased in Group A. Patients undergoing physiotherapy exercises showed no changes in their radiographic features. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapy produced significant improvement in articular range of motion, muscular strength, and articular dysfunction in patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, but these improvements were not evident on radiographs. |
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