Multi-Segmental Approach to Crouch Gait in Cerebral Palsy: It’s Not Just The Knee!

Crouch gait is a well-known, complex, and often progressive condition in diplegic cerebral palsy. The personal and medical cost of progression includes additional musculoskeletal impairments, pain, arthritis, and decline in functional gait contributing to a decrease in quality of life. Crouch gait involves kinematic influences of the trunk, hip, knee, and ankle. A multi-segmental approach provides comprehensive interventions to improve functional outcomes.

Research informed content updates the complex multi-segmental influences on the development and progression of crouch gait, with an emphasis on prevention and remediation. Clinical videos and kinematic data illustrate the primary impairments and critical factors often seen in crouch gait. Instructor led labs provide participants with an opportunity to understand and evaluate the multi-joint patho-mechanics of crouch gait. Discussions include the influence of ground reaction forces on the patho-mechanics. Video examples, lab activities, and discussions include development of successful interventions to decrease pain, improve function, and decrease secondary impairments.

Content is appropriate for physical therapists at any level of experience and for physical therapy assistants who work with this population.