Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Evaluation of Patients' Posture and Gait Profile After Lumbar Fusion Surgery by Video Rasterstereography and Treadmill Gait Analysis
Published on: March 23, 2019
The effectiveness of an early ambulation device for children post-abdominal or spinal fusion surgery: A
Jordan Staggs1, Andrea Knott1, Julie Van Orne1
1Cook Children's Medical Center, 801 7(th) Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA.
Insights
A new early ambulation device aids pediatric surgical patients in moving sooner and more often. This can lead to shorter hospital stays, especially for spinal fusion patients, improving recovery and independence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Medical Device Innovation
Background:
- Early ambulation is crucial for pediatric surgical recovery.
- Children often face mobility challenges post-surgery due to medical equipment.
- Barriers to ambulation can impede patient recovery and increase hospital stay.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel early ambulation device in pediatric surgical patients.
- To compare mobilization outcomes between children using the device and a control group.
- To assess the impact of the device on length of stay and ambulation frequency.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental design was employed.
- Comparison between a group using the early ambulation device and a retrospective control group.
- Outcomes measured included length of hospital stay, time to first ambulation, and daily ambulation frequency.
Main Results:
- The device group showed significantly greater total and daily ambulation frequency in the abdominal surgery cohort.
- Spinal fusion patients using the device experienced significantly shorter length of stay and earlier, more frequent ambulation.
- Improvements were most notable in the early to mid-postoperative phases.
Conclusions:
- The early ambulation device is the first of its kind for pediatric surgical patients.
- The device demonstrated significant benefits, including earlier mobilization and reduced length of stay, particularly in spinal fusion cases.
- Device use offers potential cost savings and enhances patient independence during recovery.
Background:
Early ambulation following surgery is essential for recovery, yet children undergoing surgery often face barriers due to multiple lines and medical equipment.
Methods:
A quasi-experimental design was used to compare children who received the early ambulation device with a retrospective surgical-condition-stratified comparison group. Outcomes included length of stay, time to first ambulation, and daily average ambulation.
Results:
Results showed several significant improvements in the experimental group versus the comparison group. Among children in the abdominal surgery cohort, the experimental group had a greater total ambulation (15.0 vs. 12.0, p = 0.023) and higher daily ambulation frequency (5.5 vs. 2.5, p < 0.001); and length of stay trended shorter in the experimental group but did not reach statistical significance (3.0 vs. 3.8 days, p = 0.060). Children in the spinal fusion cohort also experienced benefits, including a shorter length of stay (3.9 vs. 4.7 days, p = 0.001), earlier ambulation (18.7 vs. 39.7 h, p < 0.001), and a greater frequency of ambulation (20.5 vs. 15.0, p < 0.001). Improvements were most pronounced in the early to mid-postoperative period.
Conclusion:
This study provides the first evidence of early ambulation device use in a pediatric surgical population. The device was associated with earlier mobilization, more frequent ambulation, and reduced hospital length of stay in the spinal fusion cohort, with a trend toward reduced length of stay in the abdominal cohort. Advantages of utilizing the early ambulation device include cost savings for families and the organization, as well as increased independence when ambulating.
