Compensatory Strategies in Children with Upper Limbs Deformities due to Amioplasia

Abstract

Amyoplasia is the most severe form of arthrogryposis and is characterized by congenital multiple joint contractures, hypoplasia or aplasia of skeletal muscles, and limited or complete lack of self-service. The use of compensatory movements allows patients to be partially or completely independent in daily life. The goal. Based on their own observations and literature, describe compensatory and compensatory movements in children with amyoplasia with upper limb lesions, which patients use in performing basic self-care skills. Material and methods. From 2008 to 2019 we examined, 236 patients with amyoplasia (10 months to 16 years old) with a typical lesion of the upper extremities and limitation of self-care. Depending on the nature of the existing anatomical and functional disorders and the level of segmental muscle damage, all patients with amyoplasia were divided into 4 groups. Compensatory movements were studied in each group of patients. Results. The study showed that children's compensatory movements are numerous and depend on the degree of muscle function disorders of the upper and lower extremities, the rate of psychomotor development of the child. Elbow is a key joint to determine the functional independence in daily life. In cases of extensor contracture in the elbow patients have severe functional disorders and need personal assistance. Conclusions. Compensatory movements in children with amyoplasia are useful and help to adapt in daily life and compensate for the loss (or insufficiency) of movements in the joints. Compensatory movements in children are different. They are determined by the range of passive and active movements in the joints of the upper and low extremities.