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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study
Published on: November 7, 2015
Inpatient Rehabilitation After Multi-Level Orthopedic Surgery in Youth with Cerebral Palsy: Discharge and 18-Month
Stephanie Butler1, Brittany Virgil1, Chris Church1
1Department of Orthopaedics, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, DE, USA.
Aims:
To describe mobility outcomes for youth with cerebral palsy (CP) who received inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) following multilevel surgery (MLS) and surgical and patient factors associated with mobility outcomes.
Methods:
Data for 58 youth (mean age 13.5 years; Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level II-53%; III-47%) who underwent high-burden MLS were retrospectively reviewed. 81% received IPR following MLS; average length of stay (LOS) was 4.3 wk. The Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) was administered at admission and discharge from IPR. The Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument Transfer and Basic Mobility score (PODCI-TBM), Gait Deviation Index (GDI), and Gross Motor Function Measure Section D (GMFM-D) were administered preoperatively and at 18 months following MLS.
Results:
Youth made significant gains in acute mobility function (p < 0.0001); for youth classified at GMFCS III, length of stay was significantly longer (p = 0.03). Lower WeeFIM cognitive scores and lower GMFM-D scores preoperatively correlated with fewer mobility gains during IPR (r = 0.48, p = 0.0007). For all patients, at 18 months postoperatively, GDI improved significantly (p < 0.01); GMFM-D and PODCI-TBM did not (p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
Youth had improved mobility acutely after MLS that was associated with cognition and preoperative gross motor function. IPR did not influence 18-month mobility improvements.
