| - Purpose: HMSN is one of the most prevalent hereditary neuromuscular diseases and causes paralysis and sensory impairments of the lower limbs. The patterns of muscle weakness are characteristic and bilateral pes cavovarus is the most common pathological foot deformity seen in these patients. Results of surgical intervention and conservative treatment are difficult to interpret and compare because of the wide spectrum of both neurological dysfunction and of the used treatment. Relatively early surgical intervention is advocated in the flexible foot to help prevent or delay the need for more extensive bony procedures. However, the results of surgical procedures might deteriorate with time. Uncertainty exists as to what treatment to advise for the adolescent with increasing foot deformity and as a result disability. Questions regarding the proper treatment can best be answered on the basis of sound scientific research. In order to perform prospective studies, tools to assess the foot and its function across time are needed. The present research is focused on developing these measurement tools, and on testing their reliability. Once a 'test battery' of usable parameters has been developed, further prospective follow-up studies regarding surgical and/or conservative interventions can be performed. - Methodology: It is not within the scope of this summary to present details concerning the numbers of patients, controls and trials for each different study that was performed. The different measurement tools that were examined are hand held dynamometry, functional tests, dynamic foot pressure measurements, registration of the feet with multiple directional digital photography using the Foot Registration System and finally, postural control. In general, for each tool a series of patients and controls were tested during multiple occasions by the same observer and on the same day by different observers. Hereafter, the variability of the different parameters is determined. - Progress: The measurements have been made. Data analyses in process. A series of four articles are to be published. |
