Análisis biomecánico de la marcha en población pediátrica con lesión medular. Revisión de la casuística de una unidad de biomecánica hospitalaria

Objective

To describe the characteristics of patients with spinal cord injury in pediatric age whose gait pattern was analyzed in the Biomechanics and Technical Care Unit of the National Paraplegics Hospital of Toledo (Spain).

Material and methods

A retrospective study including all patients attending the unit and analyzed between January 2006 and March 2010, younger than 18 years, who were outpatients with or without technical aids and independence of gait with a minimum distance of 10 meters.

Results

A total of 48 patients were included in this study: 53.1% males, 46.9% female. Ages ranges from 2 to 18 years with a mean age of 12 years (+/- 2.31). The bone marrow lesion etiology was traumatic (29.16%), congenital (33.33%), neoplasm (8.33%) among others. Injury levels was cervical (31.25%), lumbar (29.16%), non-spinal origin (20.83%), dorsal (16.66%) and sacral (2.08%).

Conclusion

The incidence of pediatric spinal cord injury is very small, but poses a great personal and social and care challenge. The review of the literature shows the lack of studies regarding this disease in patients of similar age as well as studies on the gait pattern in these patients.