Preoperative and postoperative gait evaluation in cerebral palsy

The purpose of the study was to evaluate objectively and quantitatively the possible effects of surgical correction for equinus deformity on the gait of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Evaluation criteria selected were based on time and distance parameters of stride during gait. Ten children with confirmed diagnoses of CP took part in the study. They were tested before surgery and after surgery at four-month intervals for a period of up to one year. Results were compared to published data obtained on able-bodied, growing children to determine whether progress after the operation was faster than that expected in normal growth. Gait improvement was demonstrated by a decrease in support time and an increase in walking speed and stride length. Overall improvement was sometimes preceded by an initial, temporary deterioration. Results indicate that the time and distance parameters of stride can provide reliable objective evaluation of gait improvement after tendo Achilles lengthening in children with CP.