Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Growth and Development Disorders in Pediatrics

Background: Genu recurvatum commonly represents a more challenging problem that interferes with activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy. Objectives: To investigate the effect of pulley therapy on genu recurvatum in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Methods: Forty children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy aged from 3 to 6 years were randomly allocated into two equal groups: control group (A) and study group (B). Both groups received designed physical therapy program. In addition to, study group received pulley therapy program for strengthening of hamstrings and tibialis anterior muscles.The treatment program was applied for one hour, three times per week for three successive months for each group. Degree of genu recurvatum was assessed pre- and post-treatment by using digital goniometer while, muscle strength of hamstrings and tibialis anterior muscles was assessed by using Lafayette manual muscle tester device.Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in all measured variables post treatment.The significant improvement after treatment in degree of genu recurvatum and muscle strength was obtained in favor to study group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pulley therapy can be used within the rehabilitation program of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy to improve hamstrings and tibialis anterior muscles strength and therefore decreasing the degree of genu recurvatum in those children

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