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dc.contributor.authorSinger, B.
dc.contributor.authorGnanaletchumy, J.
dc.contributor.authorSinger, K.
dc.contributor.authorAllison, Garry
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-30T10:33:17Z
dc.date.available2017-01-30T10:33:17Z
dc.date.created2010-03-10T20:03:04Z
dc.date.issued2003
dc.identifier.citationSinger, Barbara and Gnanaletchumy, Jegasothy and Singer, Kevin and Allison, Garry. 2003. Evaluation of serial casting to correct equinovarus deformity of the ankle after acquired brain injury in adults. Archives of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation. 84 (4): pp. 483-491.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/3682
dc.identifier.doi10.1053/apmr.2003.50041
dc.description.abstract

Objective: To examine an adult population undergoing rehabilitation after brain injury to determine the incidence of ankle contracture and factors contributing to the development of this deformity. Design: Descriptive study Setting Specialist in patient neurosurgical rehabilitation unit in Australia. Participants Patients (N=105) admitted with a new diagnosis of moderate to severe brain injury over a 12-month period. Main outcome measures: Maximal ankle dorsiflexion range and the presence of abnormal muscle tone affecting the lower limb(s) were evaluated at weekly intervals. Ankle contracture was defined as maximal passive range of less than 0 dorsiflexion with the knee in extension. Patients were grouped into 3 muscle tone categories: normal, predominantly spastic, or predominantly dystonic. Age, sex, mechanism and severity of brain injury, time to onset of ankle contracture, total length of hospital stay, and discharge mobility status data were also recorded. Results: Muscle tone was designated as normal in 68 (64.7%), as spastic in 14 (13.3%), and as dystonic in 23 (21.9%) patients. The incidence of ankle contracture was 16.2% (17/105 cases). Ankle deformity correlated closely with muscle tone category. Of 23 cases with dystonic muscle overactivity, 17 developed contracture at some point between 1 and 16 weeks after brain injury, although no subject with normal tone or spasticity developed the deformity. There was a weak association between the severity of brain injury and development of ankle contracture. Conclusions: The incidence of ankle contracture was much lower than previously reported. Dystonic overactivity of the plantarflexor and invertor muscles is a major predisposing factor to ankle contracture.

dc.publisherElsevier
dc.subjectRehabilitation
dc.subjectContracture
dc.subjectRisk factors
dc.subjectBrain injuries
dc.subjectIncidence
dc.subjectDystonia
dc.subjectAnkle
dc.subjectMuscle spasticity
dc.titleEvaluation of serial casting to correct equinovarus deformity of the ankle after acquired brain injury in adults.
dc.typeJournal Article
dcterms.source.volume84
dcterms.source.number4
dcterms.source.startPage483
dcterms.source.endPage491
dcterms.source.issn00039993
dcterms.source.titleArchives of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation
curtin.note

The link to the journal’s home page is: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/623354/description#description Copyright © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

curtin.departmentSchool of Physiotherapy
curtin.accessStatusFulltext not available
curtin.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
curtin.facultySchool of Occupational Therapy and Social Work


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