S.P.20 Predictors of ankle instability in children and young people with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease

• Published in: Neuromuscular disorders : NMD 2012-10, Vol.22 (9), p.892-893
• Main Authors: Rose, K.J, Hiller, C.E, Mandarakas, M, Raymond, J, Burns, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Indexing in process; Neurology
• ISSN: 0960-8966; 1873-2364
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2012.06.295

Abstract Ankle instability is a common clinical complaint for children with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT), however it has not been thoroughly investigated and the prevalence and predictors of ankle instability remain unknown. An improved understanding of these variables may provide clues as to interventions that might help to improve ankle stability. To investigate the prevalence, correlates and predictors of ankle instability in paediatric CMT in 30 children with CMT aged 7–18 years. Measures of ankle instability were obtained using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT). Other variables collected included demographic, anthropometric, foot/ankle and functional parameters. To determine factors associated with ankle instability, a series of multivariate regression models were developed. First, Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationships between right and left ankle instability and other variables collected. Characteristics found to have significant ( P < .05) associations with ankle instability were entered simultaneously into a stepwise multiple regression model which was reduced to a set of variables that best predicted and could be regarded as independent determinants of right and left ankle instability. All but one study participant reported moderate to severe bilateral ankle instability as indicated by the CAIT with females reporting significantly greater ankle instability than males. Ankle instability was associated ( P < .05) with cavus foot posture, female gender and time to balance with the toes of one foot beside the heel of the opposite foot. Multivariate regression analyses revealed female gender and cavus foot posture as significant independent predictors of ankle instability. This study indicates ankle instability is common in paediatric CMT and suggests interventions, which aim to normalise foot posture, may help to improve ankle stability in this population.