The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of pre-operative gait analysis testing on surgical outcomes in children with cerebral palsy who have problems walking.
Gait analysis testing has been used to assist orthopaedic surgeons in developing treatment plans for children with gait abnormalities, particularly children with cerebral palsy. Previous studies have shown that gait analysis testing significantly impacts surgical decision-making for these patients. However, no controlled studies have been done to determine whether gait analysis and the subsequent changes in surgical decision-making affect clinical outcomes. Consequently, the use of gait analysis in clinical practice remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of preoperative gait analysis on surgical outcomes in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. Comparison: Surgery with information from gait analysis testing compared with surgery without information from gait analysis testing.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
186
Orthopaedic surgery with access to gait analysis report
Orthopaedic surgery without access to gait analysis report
Shriners Hospital for Children, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States
Change in walking ability at 1 year
Time frame: 1 year
Change in walking efficiency at 1 year
Time frame: 1 year
Change in gross motor function at 1 year
Time frame: 1 year
Change in quality of life at 1 year
Time frame: 1 year
Additional treatment needed at 1 year
Time frame: 1 year
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