Gait analysis in Cerebral palsy

Question 1

general idea of the Gait Analysis

Answer 1

Clinical gait analysis (CGA) is needed to identify, understand and support the management of gait deviations in CP. CGA assesses a large amount of quantitative data concerning patients’ gait characteristics, such as

1. video,
2. kinematics,
3. kinetics,
4. electromyography
5. plantar pressure data.

Question 2

comprehensive gait analysis components

Answer 2

1. physical exam findings
2. kinetic analysis
3. kinematic analysis
4. pedobarography
5. dynamic electromyography
6. video

Question 3

Discuss the comprehensive gait analysis components

Answer 3

• physical exam findings
  
  • spasticity assessment, contractures and torsional abnormalities
• kinetic analysis
  
  • forces (procuce linear accelerations) and moments (produce rotational accelerations) acting on and within the body
• kinematic analysis
  
  • description of movement, typically described in segments and joints in 3 planes sagittal/coronal/transverse
• pedobarography
  
  • special force plate that shows contact pressures through the stance phase
• dynamic electromyography
  
  • muscle activation detected at different (normal or abnormal) start points in gait
• video

Question 4

Descriptive (Qualitative) classification OF Gait in CP

Answer 4

Question 5

Quantitative classification

Answer 5

characterizes gait into 3 planes of deformity

• sagittal plane
  
  • includes:
    
    1. anterior or posterior pelvic tilt
    2. hip flexion/extension
    3. knee flexion/extension
    4. ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion
• coronal plane
  
  • includes:
    
    1. pelvic elevation/depression
    2. hip abduction/adduction
• transverse plane
  
  • transverse plane is least reliable plane described in instrumented gait analysis
  • includes:
    
    1. pelvic and hip internal and external rotation deformities, foot progression angle