The long-term effects of aggressive spasticity reducing treatment, including selective dorsal rhizotomy, on joint kinematic outcomes of persons with cerebral palsy.

Background: Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) creates a large and permanent reduction of spasticity for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Previous SDR outcomes studies have generally lacked appropriate control groups, had limited sample sizes, or reported short-term follow-up, limiting evidence for improvement in long-term gait function.

Research Question: Does aggressive spasticity management for individuals with CP improve long-term gait kinematics (discrete joint kinematics) compared to a control group of individuals with CP with minimal spasticity management?

Methods: This study was a secondary analysis - focused on joint-level kinematics - of a previous study evaluating the long-term outcomes of SDR.

Symmetry of Shoe Size and Calf Girth in Children With Treated Idiopathic Clubfoot: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: Treatments for idiopathic clubfoot focus on obtaining a functional foot, typical gait pattern, and activity participation. Patients and families are also concerned about practical considerations regarding shoe wear and the appearance of the calf. The purpose of this study was to quantify whether children treated for idiopathic clubfoot have symmetry differences in shoe size and calf girth when presenting with unilateral versus bilateral involvement.

Quantitative coronal plane motion of hindfoot during clinical flexibility assessments.

Background: Common pediatric pathologic foot presentations include cavovarus and planovalgus feet. Flexibility of the hindfoot is established for these two clinical presentations through the Coleman block (eversion) and tiptoe tests (inversion).

Research Question: The purposes of this study are to establish typical quantitative eversion and inversion motion of the hindfoot during Coleman block and tiptoe tests using 3-D motion capture and demonstrate feasibility of using this data to assist in making treatment decisions.

Gross motor development in babies with treated idiopathic clubfoot.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of treated clubfoot disorder on gross motor skill level measured by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS).

Methods: Fifty-two babies participated: 26 were treated for idiopathic clubfoot (12 with the Ponseti treatment method, 9 with the French physical therapy technique, and 5 with a combination of both methods); 26 were babies who were typically developing and without medical diagnoses. The AIMS was administered at 3-month intervals.