Module 72, General Medical Level

This male was born premature and was in the hospital for 3-1/2 weeks. He started walking by cruising at 18 months. He is now 7 years old and walking using his crutches and a walker. He uses a combination of the bilateral Lofstrand crutches, a K-posture walker and a light-weight wheelchair depending on the distance that he has to ambulate. He is in a regular class room and has normal speech. In the last year his ambulation has become more difficult because of toe dragging and his feet rolling over.

Question 72A

This boy has a typical diplegic pattern cerebral palsy due to premature birth.

---

Question 72B

These types of walking patterns with a history of increased difficulty walking is common in middle childhood.

---

Question 72C

Most causes of decreasing ambulatory ability in diplegic children in middle childhood are reversible.

---

Question 72D

This boy must have recent x-rays of his hip, because hip dislocation can be a cause of loss of ambulatory ability.

---

Question 72E

At age 7 with his current ambulatory ability, the mother wants to know if he will be able to walk without crutches in several years. You tell her this is very likely.

Go to Next Question Module, Go to General Orthopaedist Level Modules, Go to Question Module Home Page, Go to Case Presentation Home Page, Orthopaedic Department Home Page.