Predicting Gait Improvement after Multi-level Surgery in Children with Cerebral Palsy

INTRODUCTION Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that results in impaired motor control, spasticity, and consequently, a significant reduction in walking ability. There are a variety of orthopedic surgeries available to correct bony alignment and lengthen or transfer tight or spastic muscles, with the goal of improving walking ability. Patients often receive multiple simultaneous surgical procedures, but these treatments are not always successful. While most patients undergo a gait analysis and physical exam prior to treatment, interpreting this information is challenging. Thus, better tools are needed to objectively and effectively identify patients who are likely to benefit from multi-level surgery and enable realistic surgical goal-setting.