Limitation of ankle range of motion in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A cross-sectional study

Background. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and determine the fac tors related to active and passive dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM) in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which is the most obvious impairment of musculoskeletal function in such children. Procedure. The su bjects included 54 survivors of ALL treated on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute protocols and 54 comparable healthy children. Bilateral active and passive DF-ROM were measured with the knee extended. Results. The survivors of ALL had significantly less active and passive DF-ROM (6.4 vs. 16.8, 10.5 vs. 1 8.8 degrees, respectively, Pi 0.001) than the comparison children. Weight f or age at the time of assessment and change in height during treatment show ed significant negative correlations with DF-ROM. Length of time-off treatm ent was not associated with DF-ROM. Conclusions. Multiple regression analys es identified the variables of age at diagnosis and gender as significant p redictors of both DF-ROM measures following treatment. Children diagnosed a t a younger age and females were at greater risk for restricted DF-ROM. Clo se monitoring and preventative therapy programs for this complication are w arranted for children, especially young girls receiving treatment for ALL. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 32:279-282, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.