1999 Volume 36 Issue 4 Pages 240-242
We report two cases of achondroplasia with a late onset of paraplegia. The patients, a 21-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, exhibited neurological symptoms-such as intermittent claudication and weakness of lower extremities-for one to two years before a diagnosis of spinal canal stenosis was made. The outcome of spinal surgery was unsatisfactory and paraplegia persisted. Early functional recovery through rehabilitation training was impeded by clinical features of achondroplasia (i. e., extremely short stature and limbs). Devices like push-up handles and reachers were helpful in self-care activities. Inspite of long-term intensive rehabilitation training, these patients required minimal assistance in their activities of daily living, such as putting on trousers, applying self catheterization, and bathing. Functional outcomes in these cases were apparently poorer than for uncomplicated paraplegic patients.
