Gait Analysis Parameters and Walking Activity Pre- and Postoperatively in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between the Gait Deviation Index (GDI) and walking activity preoperatively and postoperatively.

METHODS: The GDI and walking activity from 74 youth with cerebral palsy (CP) were included in the analysis. The preoperative GDI was calculated using gait parameters collected during a clinical gait analysis 1 to 16 months prior to surgery. The postoperative GDI was calculated using gait parameters collected during a clinical gait analysis 10 to 26 months following surgery.

RESULTS: A weak correlation was present between the change in the average GDI and the change in strides. A moderate correlation was found between the change in the Surgery GDI and the change in strides.

CONCLUSION: Single-event multilevel surgery improves gait deviations in children with CP. However, the improvement in gait pattern has limited correlation with postoperative change in walking activity. Our results demonstrate a need to pair surgical with additional intervention to affect long-term improvements in walking activity.