Ankle strength and functional limitations in children and adolescents with type I osteogenesis imperfecta.

Purpose: To determine whether children with type I osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) exhibit ankle plantar flexor weakness and whether this correlates with physical function. Methods: Twenty children and adolescents with type I OI and 20 age-matched controls (age 6-18 years) participated in a single evaluation session. Data included strength assessment, Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire, Pediatric Outcome Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), and Faces Pain Scale-Revised. Results: Ankle plantar flexor weakness was evident in the OI group compared with the control group. Heel-rise strength correlated with ankle isometric plantar flexion strength. Limitations in PODCI subscales-sports and physical function and pain/comfort-are present in the OI group. Conclusions: Ankle plantar flexor weakness is present in children and adolescents with type I OI and correlates with function. Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire, PODCI, and strength assessment are valuable evaluation tools for children and adolescents with type I OI and can aid therapists in goal setting. (Pediatr Phys Ther 2010;22:288-295)