Outcomes of home exercise program in children with obstetrical brachial plexus injury: one year follow up

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the one year follow up results of home exercise programs in children with obstetric brachial plexus (OBP) injury. Material and methods: Sixty cases aged between 0-12 months were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements were performed and the risk factors of OBP injury, progression, and changes in the active range of motion were evaluated. Cases were followed monthly by a home exercise program until the age of 12 months. In cases who applied immediately after birth, affected arm was positioned in neutral position for 3 weeks and following this period a physiotherapy program consisting of passive, active assisted and active exercises were applied. Results: At the end of the one year follow up period, 36.6% of the cases were totally recovered, 28.4% underwent surgery and 35% continued treatment with follow-up visits. None of the cases developed joint limitation at the end of the follow-up period. It is observed that during the first six months, the recovery rate was higher and after the sixth month it slowed down. Conclusion: Our results indicated that in children with OBP injury supporting the affected arm in neutral position in the first three weeks and well structured arm exercises in concordance with recovery plays a major role in prevention of contractures and six months can be used as a reference time for planning the surgical treatment.