Variation in kinematic and spatiotemporal gait parameters by Gross Motor Function Classification System level in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine differences in gait kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters in ambulatory children and adolescents with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP) among Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-III.


METHODS
A retrospective review was conducted of individuals with BSCP who had three-dimensional motion analysis (3DGA) at one of seven pediatric hospitals. Means and standard deviations of each gait parameter were stratified by GMFCS levels (I-III) and for a typically developing comparison group.


RESULTS
Data from 292 children and adolescents with BSCP (189 males, 103 females; mean age 13 y) were compared to a typically developing comparison group (24 male, 26 female; mean age 10 y 6 mo). Gait patterns differed from typically developing in all GMFCS levels, with increasing deviation as GMFCS level increased in 21 out of 28 parameters. Despite significant differences in selected mean kinematic parameters among GMFCS levels such as knee angle at initial contact of 24°, 29°, and 41° in GMFCS levels I, II and III respectively, there was also substantial overlap among GMFCS levels.


CONCLUSIONS
GMFCS levels cannot be identified using specific gait kinematics. Treatment decisions should be guided by comprehensive 3DGA that allows measurement of gait impairments at the joint level for each individual.
Center for Motion Analysis, Division of Orthopaedics, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
Sylvia
S
Õunpuu
Motion Analysis Laboratory, Shriners Hospital for Children (SHC), Springfield, MA, USA.
George
G
Gorton
Motion Analysis Laboratory, SHC, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Anita
A
Bagley
Motion Analysis Laboratory, SHC, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Mitell
M
Sison-Williamson
Clinical Research, SHC, Chicago, IL, USA.
Sahar
S
Hassani
Movement Analysis Laboratory, SHC, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Barbara
B
Johnson
Medical Staff Research, SHC, Lexington, KY, USA.
Donna
D
Oeffinger
D000293:Adolescent; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index