Gait Deviation Index and Gross Motor Function in children with cerebral palsyGait & posture (Impact Factor: 2.58). 06/2012; 36(Supplement 1):S52. DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.10.268
Your own clinical expertise and clinical examination can not be replaced by scores, that misses the extreme tension in the neuromuscular system in CP. There is a firm relationship between posture and gaitvariation in CP. The impact of the stretchability of the nervous system during growth by the lack of Oxigen varies . A simple test is the straight leg raising test , that is completely blocked in serious CP, but can be improved by many means. The biologic explanation for this dicongruency of neuro-osseous growthrelationship is given extensivily by Prof. Milan Roth. His research was done in German language, but I do attach his english book. But also the postural development is an issue and difficult to score. But posture is depicted by the "lifestyle"of children". In CP this is very dependant of the nursing capacities, mostly not aware of the negative effects slumping of the spine like in wheelchairs have on prognosis. But keeping the spine in extension as much as possible ( like with TLI technique in braces) or prone and with scrutinous stretch exercises of the legs( with extended spine) will have positive effect on the gait patterns and walking possibilities. CP patients that manage to keep walking , can only do so if they develop a complete lordotic spine. CP children should avoid the flexed position of the spine even more as healthy children. And should be compensated by excersise of the lack of stretchgrowth of their nerves.