title: Impact of postoperative gait analysis on orthopaedic care.
abstract: The impact of postoperative gait analysis on the ongoing orthopaedic care of 38 consecutive patients with a static encephalopathy was evaluated. Of the 38 postoperative gait analyses, 32 (84%) resulted in recommendations of a change in patient care. Surgery was recommended in 16 of 38 (42%) cases, bracing in 20 (53%) cases, and specific physical therapy regimens in eight (21%) cases. Eleven of the 38 (29%) patients had changes recommended in at least two of the three areas (surgery, bracing, and therapy). The results of this study suggest that postoperative gait analysis serves not only as a measure of treatment outcome, but also as a useful tool in planning ongoing care for these patients.
authors.affiliation: Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rethlefsen
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Skaggs
authors.forename: V T
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Tolo
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008581:Meningitis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome