Ranges and drivers of risk associated with sports and recreational activities in people with haemophilia: results of the Activity-Intensity-Risk Consensus Survey of US physical therapists.

Introduction: Limited evidence describes physical activity-associated bleeding risks for people with haemophilia, and risks are usually described only generically.

Aim: To assess activity-specific ranges of risk for joint, soft tissue and head bleeds by identifying inherent and modifiable risk factors associated with each activity, based on opinions of expert physical therapists (PTs).

Methods: Physical therapists from US haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) participated in a survey of 101 physical activities.

Responsiveness and uniqueness of the pediatric outcomes data collection instrument compared to the gross motor function measure for measuring orthopaedic and neurosurgical outcomes in cerebral palsy.

The Pediatrics Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) is a valid and reliable measure of functional health status in children with acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders, including cerebral palsy (CP), but its responsiveness has not been documented specifically for this population. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) are the only two instruments validated specifically as evaluative measures for CP, and while widely used, they are limited by a ceiling effect when assessing higher-functioning children. The PEDI is further restricted to children who are 7 years old or less.

Biomechanical changes in gait following selective dorsal rhizotomy.

Object: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) on the walking pattern of children with cerebral palsy (CP). The authors hypothesized that SDR would reduce the overactive stretch reflex and result in improved joint positions, greater joint angular velocities and motion, and greater strides. The authors also expected that the changes from the SDR would be reflected in the electrical activities of the muscles.