A long-term retrospective study of proximal hamstring release for hamstring contracture in cerebral palsy.

Proximal hamstring release was used exclusively for hamstring contracture in patients with spastic cerebral palsy. Average follow-up was 9 years 5 months. Thirty-two of 78 patients were examined retrospectively. Straight leg raising increased from 30 to 68 degrees. Knee flexion contracture decreased from 16 to 9 degrees. Knee flexion contractures of greater than 10 degrees were not permanently corrected. Only four of 64 knees were in mild (5-10 degrees) recurvatum at follow-up. Lumbar lordosis averaged 53 degrees at follow-up, and hip flexion contracture release apparently had little effect on lumbar lordosis. Proximal hamstring release can be used by this described technique without severe lumbar lordosis or devastating genu recurvatum.