Rectus Femoris Transfer
Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.
The Rectus Femoris muscle can be found on the front of your thigh and acts to help straighten the Knee. This muscle can often be overactive causing a "stiff leg" gait in children with Cerebral Palsy.
Definition
For this procedure part of the Rectus Femoris muscle is detached (moved away) and then sewn together with part of the hamstrings muscles. The hamstrings are found on the back of your thigh and acts to help bend the Knee.
Weight Bearing
No restricstions.
Plasters
None required.
Orthoses
Zimmer splint needed to keep knee straight when resting.
Special Instructions
Knee range of movement exercises are important to help the transfer heal correctly. The best position for your child to do this on their stomach. A Physiotherapist will show you this in hospital.
Equipment
Your child may need a wheelchair with a long leg board to support your legs for two or more weeks. Speak to your Occupational Therapist about getting a loan wheelchair or leg board prior to the surgery.
You may also need to discuss how this will change your child needs with accessing school and managing at home.
© The Children's Hospital at Westmead - 1997-2006
This document was published on Wednesday,
28 June 2006.
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