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Biomedical subjects

G Hägglund

Publications and source records attributed to G Hägglund.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Radiostereometric analysis for monitoring percutaneous physiodesis. A preliminary study.

Percutaneous physiodesis is an established technique for treating mild leg-length discrepancy and problems of expected extreme height. Angular deformities resulting from incomplete physeal arrest have been reported, and little is known about the time interval from percutaneous physiodesis to actual physeal arrest. This procedure was carried out in ten children, six with leg-length discrepancy and four with expected extreme height. Radiostereometric analysis was used to determine the three-dimensional dynamics of growth retardation. Errors of measurement of translation were less than 0.05 mm and of rotation less than 0.06 degrees. Physeal arrest was obtained in all but one child within 12 weeks after physiodesis and no clinically-relevant angular deformities occurred. This is a suitable method for following up patients after percutaneous physiodesis. Incomplete physeal arrest can be detected at an early stage and the procedure repeated before corrective osteotomy is required.

Adolescent↗

Prevention of dislocation of the hip in children with cerebral palsy. The first ten years of a population-based prevention programme.

In 1994, a register for cerebral palsy and a health-care programme were started in southern Sweden with the aim of preventing dislocation of the hip in children with cerebral palsy. It involved all children with cerebral palsy born in 1992 or later. None of the 206 affected children born between 1992 and 1997 has developed a dislocation following the introduction of the prevention programme. Another 48 children moved into the area and none developed any further dislocation. Of the 251 children with cerebral palsy, aged between five and 11 years, living in the area on January 1, 2003, only two had a dislocated hip. One boy had moved into the area at age of nine with a dislocation and a girl whose parents chose not to participate in the programme developed bilateral dislocation. One boy, whose condition was considered to be too poor for preventative surgery, developed a painful dislocation of the hip at the age of five years and died three years later. Eight of 103 children in a control group, consisting of all children with cerebral palsy living in the area between 1994 and 2002, and born between 1990 and 1991, developed a dislocation of the hip before the age of six years. The decreased incidence of dislocation after the introduction of the prevention programme was significant (p < 0.001). Dislocation of the hip in cerebral palsy remains a serious problem, and prevention is important. Our screening programme and early intervention when lateral displacement of the femoral head was detected appear to be successful.

Cerebral Palsy↗

Cerebral palsy in southern Sweden I. Prevalence and clinical features.

UNLABELLED: The prevalence, clinical features and gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy in southern Sweden were investigated. The study covered the birth year period 1990-1993, during which 65,514 livebirths were recorded in the area. On the census date (1 January 1998), 68366 children born in 1990-1993 lived in the area. The study comprised 167 children, 145 of them born in Sweden and 22 born abroad. The livebirth prevalence was 2.2 per 1,000, and the prevalence including children born abroad was 2.4 per 1,000. The distribution according to gestational age, birthweight and subdiagnoses was similar to that in earlier Swedish studies, except for a higher rate of dyskinetic syndromes in this study. CONCLUSION: The point prevalence of cerebral palsy was 2.4 and the livebirth prevalence was 2.2. Children born abroad had a higher prevalence and were more often severely disabled. Severe disability was often combined with associated impairments such as mental retardation, epilepsy and visual impairment.

Cerebral Palsy↗

Cerebral palsy in southern Sweden II. Gross motor function and disabilities.

UNLABELLED: The gross motor function and disabilities in children with cerebral palsy in southern Sweden were investigated and related to clinical features. The study covered the birth year period 1990-1993 and comprised 167 children, 145 of them born in Sweden and 22 born abroad. The clinical features and gross motor function were analysed at a mean age of 6.8 y. Clinical features were obtained from a continuing healthcare follow-up programme. Gross motor function was classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Walking independently was possible for 86% of the hemiplegic, 63% of the pure ataxic, 61% of the diplegic and 21% of the dyskinetic children. None of the tetraplegic children was able to walk. The classification of gross motor function revealed that 59% of the children were categorized into levels I and II (mildly disabled), 14% into level III (moderately disabled) and 27% into levels IV and V (severely disabled). Children born abroad were more severely disabled. CONCLUSION: The standardized age-related classification system GMFCS enabled a specific description of gross motor function in relation to clinical features. Significant differences between GMFCS levels and subgroups of diagnosis, aetiology. intellectual capacity, epilepsy and visual impairment were found.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Comparison of the Gross Motor Function Measure and Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory in assessing motor function in children undergoing selective dorsal rhizotomy.

This study was designed to compare assessment with the functional outcome measures Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) over time, in children with cerebral palsy (CP) undergoing selective dorsal rhizotomy combined with individualised physiotherapeutic interventions. Using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), 18 children with spastic diplegia were divided into two groups according to age-related severity of motor function impairment. Data were collected preoperatively, and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Both instruments were sensitive to changes in function over time in the series as a whole and in the group with milder impairment, although the PEDI detected significant changes earlier. In the group with more severe impairment, changes in function were detected only with the PEDI, not with the GMFM. Thus, the instruments are to be considered complementary tests, because they measure different aspects of function.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Assessment of primary hip osteoarthritis: comparison of radiographic methods using colon radiographs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the reliability of quantitative measurement of minimum hip joint space with a qualitative global assessment of radiological features for estimating the prevalence of primary osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip in colon radiographs. METHODS: All colon radiographs from patients aged 35 or older, taken at three different radiographic departments in Iceland during the years 1990-96, were examined. A total of 3002 hips in 638 men and 863 women were analysed. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability was assessed by measuring 147 randomly selected radiographs (294 hips) twice by the same observer, and 87 and 98 randomly selected radiographs (174 and 196 hips) by two additional independent observers. Minimum hip joint space was measured with a millimetre ruler, and global assessment of radiological features by a published atlas. RESULTS: With a minimum joint space of 2.5 mm or less as definition for OA, 212 hips were defined as having OA. When the global Kellgren and Lawrence assessment with grade 2 (definite narrowing in the presence of definite osteophytes) or higher as definition for OA was used, 202 hips showed OA. However, only 166 hips were diagnosed as OA with both systems. With 2.0 or 3.0 mm minimum joint space as cut off point, the difference between the two methods increased. Both intrarater and interrater reliability was significantly higher with joint space measurement than with global assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Overall prevalence of radiological OA was similar with the two methods. However, the quantitative measurement of minimum hip joint space had a better within-observer and between-observer reliability than qualitative global assessment of radiographic features of hip OA. It is thus suggested that minimum joint space measurement is a preferable method in epidemiological studies of radiological hip OA.

Adult↗

The American Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Applicability of PEDI in Sweden for children aged 2.0-6.9 years.

The American Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) is a new instrument for evaluating functional performance in disabled children aged 6 months to 7.5 years. It was developed to determine a child's functional capacity and performance in three domains, self-care, mobility and social function, as reflected in scores on three scales: (i) functional skills (current capability in specific tasks), (ii) caregiver assistance (i.e. provided to facilitate the child's performance), and (iii) modifications (i.e. environmental or technical modifications needed to facilitate the child's function). The present study was designed to compare results obtained using the PEDI in a Swedish sample with the American normative data, and to analyse the content and relevance of PEDI items for use in Sweden. The PEDI was administered as a questionnaire in structured interview form to the parents of 52 non-disabled Swedish children aged 2.0-6.9 years, divided into ten age groups. Correlation analysis (Pearson's r) showed scores for the Swedish sample to manifest strong correlation with the respective American normative data, both for the functional skills (r = 0.90-0.98) and caregiver assistance (r = 0.93-0.99) scales, respectively. Scores for the modification scale were not compared. Thus, the results suggest the American normative data to be appropriate for reference purposes in Sweden.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Prevalence of hip osteoarthritis in Iceland.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of primary hip osteoarthritis (OA) in Iceland. To compare the prevalence of primary hip OA in Iceland with published rates of primary hip OA for related Scandinavian populations. METHODS: Roentgenographs were examined of 1530 Icelandic people 35 years or older (653 males, 877 females) subjected to colon radiography during the years 1990-1996. The radiographs examined represent approximately 40% of all colon radiographs taken in Iceland during this period. After exclusion of non-primary hip OA cases, the minimum hip joint space was measured with a mm ruler. Presence of hip OA was defined as a minimum joint space of 2.5 mm or less on an anteroposterior radiograph. Intraclass correlation coefficients for inter and intraobserver variability of assessment of mm joint space were 0.91 and 0.95, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 1517 people included, 227 hips in 165 patients (77 men, 88 women) were diagnosed as having radiological primary hip OA. The mean age at colon examination for these patients was 68 (35-89) years. The overall prevalence of coxarthrosis among all examined patients 35 years and older was 10.8% (12% for men, 10% for women), rising from 2% at 35-39 years to 35.4% for those 85 years or older. If the population structure (age and sex distribution) for those older than 35 years in Iceland was used to standardise prevalence for both Iceland and south Sweden (using previously published data for south Sweden), the age and sex standardised prevalence of hip OA for those older than 35 years in Iceland was 8%, compared with 1.2% for south Sweden. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of radiological primary hip OA is very high in Iceland, and in excess of fivefold higher than the prevalence found by using similar techniques in studies on related populations in southern Scandinavia. The rate difference is particularly notable for those younger than 70 years.

Adult↗

Incidence of total hip replacement for primary osteoarthrosis in Iceland 1982-1996.

We report the incidence of total hip replacements performed in Iceland between 1982 and 1996. During this period, 3,403 hip arthroplasties were done. The annual number of procedures increased from 94 hips in 1982 to 323 hips in 1996. Annual rates of total hip replacements due to primary osteoarthrosis per 10(5) inhabitants were 68 in 1982-1986, 90 in 1987-1991, and 114 in 1992-1996. In the years 1992-1996, the age-standardized incidence of total hip replacements for primary osteoarthrosis was 3/10(5) among patients younger than 39 years of age, while it was 621/10(5) among those 70-79 years of age. The mean age at surgery for primary osteoarthrosis was 69 years in both men and women. Incidence rates in various countries are difficult to compare, but by using age-standardized data and correction for differences in population structures between Iceland and Sweden, we find that the incidence of total hip replacement for primary osteoarthrosis of the hip is at least 50% higher in Iceland than in Sweden. This difference is consistent with the higher prevalence of hip osteoarthrosis observed in Iceland than in Sweden.

Adult↗

Long-term results after infantile Blount's disease.

A long-term follow-up of 49 patients with an average age of 38 years (range: 25-67 years) who had experienced infantile Blount's disease was done. Thirty-seven patients had bilateral disease, giving a total of 86 affected knees. Thirty-eight knees had conservative or no treatment during childhood; 13 were treated by epiphysiodesis, and 35 by osteotomy. At follow-up, 11 knees showed arthrosis, and 9 were graded as mild. Ten knees had been surgically treated by medial meniscectomy at an average age of 29 years (range: 19-45 years), after the diagnosis of Blount's disease. Four of the knees showed arthrosis. Most of the patients had a straight leg and mild or no pain from their knee. It is concluded that most children with infantile Blount's disease will, at the age of 40 years, have a straight leg without arthrosis and that one third can reach this result without any treatment.

Adult↗

Long-term results after adolescent Blount's disease.

A long-term follow-up study was made of 23 patients with an average age of 47 years (range 38-68 years) who had adolescent Blount's disease. Four patients had bilateral disease (27 affected knees). Nine knees had no treatment during childhood, 11 were treated by physiodesis, and seven were treated by osteotomy of the proximal tibia. At follow-up, most of the patients had no pain or mild pain from their knee. Nine knees showed arthrosis. We conclude that most children with adolescent Blount's disease will have a straight leg at middle age without arthrosis and that this result can be obtained in one of four patients without treatment.

Adolescent↗

Metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle in Blount's disease. A 30-year follow-up of 13 unoperated children.

We analyzed the metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle in 13 patients with infantile Blount's disease, who had been followed without treatment during the entire growth period and without any form of realignment procedure in adulthood. On diagnosis at 23 (17-35) months of age, the metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle varied between 7 degrees and 25 degrees. At follow-up, most of the legs were almost straight. We found that the diagnosis of Blount's disease cannot be based solely on the metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle and that a bowed knee must be followed with repeated examinations before it can be decided whether treatment is needed.

Adult↗

Reliability of the gross motor function measure in cerebral palsy.

The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), an instrument comprising five dimensions devised by Russell and co-workers (7) to measure gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP) or brain damage, enables changes in performance status to be evaluated after therapy or when monitored over time. We analysed its inter-rater and intra-rater reliability on the three most difficult dimensions. A video-recording of three children with CP performing test tasks was assessed on two occasions at an interval of six months by each of the 15 physiotherapists using the GMFM manual but without previous experience or training in the use of the instrument. Mean percentage scores were similar at the first and second assessments. Both inter- and intra-rater reliabilities were good, inter-rater reliability being 0.77 and 0.88 at the first and second assessments, respectively, and intra-rater reliability 0.68 at the second assessment. The findings suggest the GMFM to be a useful and reliable instrument for assessing motor function and treatment outcome in CP.

Cerebral Palsy↗

Anterior acromioplasty. A comparison of two techniques.

A prospective randomised study was made of 20 patients who underwent acromioplasty for the chronic impingement syndrome. Ten were operated on by Neer's technique and 10 with a modification where the deltoid origin was spared. Rehabilitation was more rapid with a better range of movement in the latter group. Acromioplasty with this modification offers benefits compared with the standard procedure.

Acromion↗

The contralateral hip in slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

The risk of contralateral slipping in slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) has been estimated to be 40-80% in follow-up examinations. Before age 50 years, 25% of the contralateral hips with untreated slipping showed arthrosis, some severe. In the same long-term follow-up, no hip with mild or moderate slipping treated with pinning in situ had developed severe arthrosis at that age, indicating the risk of arthrosis in the contralateral hip in SCFE can be reduced by prophylactic pinning. Prophylactic pinning also diminishes the need for repeated radiographical examination during the remaining growth period. Provided that a technique with a low complication rate is used, prophylactic pinning of the contralateral hip is recommended in all cases of SCFE.

Adolescent↗