Lower Limb Function

Introduction The 2006 definition of cerebral palsy (CP) has been widely accepted and is recommended as the most useful operational definition of CP (Rosenbaum et al. 2007). This definition includes the term ‘secondary musculoskeletal problems’ as part of the spectrum of features seen in CP. This recognizes the impact of musculoskeletal pathologies on functioning for persons with CP. The focus of this section will be the effects of the brain lesion on the motor function of the lower limbs, pelvis, and spine. The authors work together in a gait laboratory and hip surveillance clinic with a commitment to provide clinical services and to improve the evidence base by clinical research. The framework for this section will be based on the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning (ICF) and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) (Palisano et al. 1997, World Health Organization 2001).