Investigation of the relationship between femoral anteversion, pelvic inclination and spasticity in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

Aim: This research was planned to analyze the relationship between femoraloanteversion, pelvic inclination and spasticity in children with spasticodiplegic cerebral palsy. Material and Methods: The study included 33 participants with spasticldiplegic cerebrallpalsy, aged 5-18 years (mean age 13.7 years [SD 3.1 years]; 15 girls, 18 boys), with GrosslMotor Function Classification Score 1 and 2. Femoralianteversion was evaluated with the Craig test. Pelvic inclination angle was measured using a specially designed caliper-like device and a mobile application (rotating sphere clinometer) with a phone placed on the device. Spasticity was evaluated using the Modified Ashworth Scale. The average spasticity values in the lower extremity hip flexor, adductor, internal rotator, knee flexor, plantar flexor and evertor muscles were calculated. Results: A moderate positiveicorrelation was observed between the femoral anteversion angle and pelvic inclination angle (right: r=.373, p<.05; left: r=.412, p<.05) and between femoral anteversion angle and the mean value of lower extremity total spasticity (right: r= .361, p<.05, left: r= .368, p<.05). There was no significant relationship between the pelvic inclination angle and the mean value of lower extremity total spasticity (right: r=.208, p>.05; left: r=.302, p>.05). Discussion: It was observed that an increase in lower extremity spasticity value may cause an increased femoralianteversion angle, while an increase in femoral anteversion may cause an increase in pelvic inclination angle.