Arthrogryposis (AMC) comprises a heterogeneous group of nonprogressive disorders manifested by multiple joint contractures found throughout the body at birth. The weakness or paralys is of the arm and hand muscles often presents in AMC and makes limitation in daily living. The surgical correction of joint deformity is strongly limited by absence of motor control of the upper limbs. Our Aim was to activate motor function of the paralyzed arm and/or hand by electrical stimulation (ES) of cervical cord.

Method: 

5 children (14–72mo) with AMC and upper paraplegia with no (2) or minimal voluntary movements participated in our study. The ES was performed via surface electrodes initially placed within cervical cord projection (C5-6 and C7-Th1 vertebra levels); for the segmenta l ES the anode was placed on the body of paralyzed muscle and the cathode -to the corresponding spinal segment. For every patient were performed 4-14 sessions of ES, each of 60min. One child got two courses of ES. The clinical effect, EMGs and ultrasound study of muscles were performed.

Results: 

The most of paralyzed muscles answered to segmental ES within the first session; but some of myotoms were not functional despite of repeated ES. The firstly shown voluntary hand and finger motion appeared after 2–3days of ES. All patients show improvement but the main effects were obtained in cases of complete paralysis: the ability to hold the pencil, to kick the ball, to draw.

Conclusion: 

the first experience of the ES of the cervical cord in children with AMC show decrease of motor deficit in upper limbs in all patients. The method seems to be promising for both pre-surgical diagnosis and treatment for infants with AMC affecting the upper limbs .