External applied devices are sometimes used in the treatment of persistent knee contractures in juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). This study examined the effect of static night traction and orthoses on passive and active extension range of motion (ROM) in preschool children with JCA.
A single-subject design was used, comparing the outcome of periods without intervention (A) with that of periods with intervention in the form of traction and orthoses (B). Five patients, 3 girls and 2 boys, participated. Active and passive extension ROM was measured weekly. The data were examined by visual inspection of trend, slope, and mean level in each period.
Greater improvement in both active and passive extension ROM was seen in the B periods than in the A periods. The intervention was not observed to have any negative effects on the children.
Static night traction may be a useful supplement to physiotherapy and medication to reduce knee flexion contractures in small children with JCA. The effect of the orthoses was difficult to evaluate because they were used for an insufficient time.