Evaluation and Surgical Management of Adult Spastic Hip and Knee Deformities.

JBJS Rev · Mar 01 2026 · Review

Wu KY, Grigoriou E, Rhee PC

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

General Orthopaedics Pediatric Orthopaedics

SUMMARY — THE REDUCTIONThis review outlines evaluation and individualized surgical management of adult spastic hip and knee deformities, emphasizing patient goals, exam to distinguish weakness from spasticity, diagnostic adjuncts like botulinum toxin and gait analysis, and tailored nerve versus tendon/joint procedures.
Abstract, as published

» Thorough patient presurgical counseling should emphasize individual patient goals, which may include improving ambulation, reducing reliance on orthoses, alleviating pain, or facilitating caregiver support.» Careful physical examination is essential to differentiate whether the primary cause of dysfunction is weakness, spasticity, or both.» Diagnostic adjuncts including botulinum toxin, short-acting blocks, instrumented gait analysis, and dynamic electromyography provide valuable insight and guide operative decisions.» Surgical treatment must be individualized, with nerve-based procedures indicated for pure spasticity and tendon lengthening, tenotomy, or joint procedures being required to treat soft tissue and joint contractures.

Featured in the 2026-08-04 issue.

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