Balance and Quality of Life Variations Post Achilles Tenotomy versus Conventional Physical Therapy

Abstract

Background: The lives of children with cerebral palsy were worsened by the development of deformities, which impacted their lifestyle negatively. One of the major concerns was the equinus deformity in hemiparetic children. Different treatment procedures were used to remedy such deformities, including physical therapy training, or surgical correction through different types of Achilles tenotomies. Objective: To evaluate the effect of conventional physical therapy training versus Achilles tenotomy on balance as well as quality of life in hemiparetic children. Patients and Methods: Thirty-four hemiparetic children from both sexes, whose ages ranged from 6 to 10 years, were recruited equally into 2 groups. Group A underwent an Achilles tenotomy and received conventional physical therapy training for one month after removing the immobilizing plaster cast, while Group B received continuous physical therapy training over 3 months without any surgical procedures. Evaluation was done at three intervals, using the Humac Balance System and Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results:The stability scores for Group A showed a significant decline at post-treatment (1) in comparison with pretreatment. Whereas in Group B there was a significantly higher stability score at post-treatment (1) in comparison with pre-treatment. The overall limit of stability and quality of life measurements showed a decline in their scores posttreatment in Group A, while higher scores post-treatment were seen in Group B. Conclusion:The findings of the study support the impact of physical therapy, given the emergence of complications after Achilles tenotomy, which affect the balance and quality of a child's life.