Journal of Rheumatology and Medical Rehabilitation, cilt.16, sa.4, ss.258-263, 2005 (Scopus)
We aimed to investigate wether static popliteal angle measurement used in physical examination was correlated with dynamic knee function in patients with cerebral palsy. Thirty two lower extremities of 20 children with cerebral palsy (CP) (12 diplegic and 8 hemiplegic CP) were included in this study. Popliteal angles of the cases were measured with goniometry manually (R1:Jerk, R2: Passive). Thereafter, patients were asked to walk 10 m walking-way with their own walking velocity. The motion analysis was performed with Vicon 512 Motion Analysis System. Knee flexion angle in heel strike and terminal swing phase, maximum knee extension angle in stance phase, and walking velocity were obtained. The relation between static and dynamic measurements were investigated with Spearman correlation analysis. There was statistically significant correlation between R1 and R2 (r = 0.762, p<0.05). The knee flexion angle in heel strike and terminal swing phase, and maximum knee extension angle in stance phase were not correlated with both R1 and R2. However, walking velocity was correlated with R2 (r = 0.641, p<0.05). These results show that the popliteal angle measurements of physical examination do not reflect maximum knee flexion or extension in walking. For this reason, both static and dynamic evaluations should be obtained to reveal exact treatment plan in patients with CP.