K's Gait Testing at Denver Children's Hospital

Gait Analysis for Cerebral Palsy

Gait analysis for cerebral palsy evaluates the movements of the lower body while walking.
Gait analysis uses:

• Cameras and videos to record a person walking.
• Computers to analyze how well the person walks.
• Special flooring (force plates) to show where the person's feet touch the ground while walking.
• Special machines to record muscle activity (electromyography) in the person's legs when he or she walks.

Why It Is Done

For a person with cerebral palsy, gait analysis can be used to:

• Find ways to help the person walk better.
• Predict what type of muscle, tendon, or joint surgery (orthopedic surgery) would be most helpful.
• Evaluate the success of orthopedic surgery that has already been done.
• Suggest changes in a person's exercise program.

Results

Gait analysis can show the exact movement of the lower body as a person walks.
Gait analysis is not painful, and usual activities can resume as soon as the test is completed.