Effects of Walking Analysis on Surgical Outcomes

Gait analysis testing has been used to assist orthopaedic surgeons in developing treatment
plans for children with gait abnormalities, particularly children with cerebral palsy.
Previous studies have shown that gait analysis testing significantly impacts surgical
decision-making for these patients. However, no controlled studies have been done to
determine whether gait analysis and the subsequent changes in surgical decision-making
affect clinical outcomes. Consequently, the use of gait analysis in clinical practice
remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial
to assess the effects of preoperative gait analysis on surgical outcomes in ambulatory
children with cerebral palsy.

Comparison: Surgery with information from gait analysis testing compared with surgery
without information from gait analysis testing.