Equilibrium reactions in the feet of children with spastic cerebral palsy and of normal children.

The foot-balancing reactions to posterior and lateral displacement of the body were compared in 20 normal children and 30 children with spastic cerebral palsy. The children were divided into five functional groups in order to describe the normal developmental sequence and to contrast the responses of the feet of the spastic children with those of normal children. Normal children who had been walking for more than six months (advanced walkers) showed adult-like reactions, including ankle and tow dorsiflexion, medial-arch reactions and stepping responses. Normal children who had been walking for less than six weeks (Beginning Walkers) showed less developed ankle and medial-arch reactions and exhibited clawing rather than toe dorsiflexion. Children with spastic cerebral palsy differed significantly from the normal Advanced Walkers in each of the reactions observed. When compared with the normal Beginning Walkers they demonstrated less ankle dorsiflexion and medial-arch reactions but appeared similar in other factors. Differences were noted between the three functional spastic groups.