Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in mobility longitudinally following single-event
multilevel surgery in ambulant children with cerebral palsy, focusing on those
using assistive devices for functional mobility because they are most at risk of
declining gross motor function. PARTICIPANTS: A consecutive sample of 156
ambulant children with cerebral palsy (99 males), 96 without devices (Gross Motor
Function Classification System (GMFCS) I/II), 60 with devices (GMFCS III) who had
single-event multilevel surgery at mean age 11 years 1 month. METHODS: GMFCS and
Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) ratings were recorded pre-operatively and at 2
and 5 years post-operatively. A proportional odds logistic regression model was
used for the GMFCS III group to predict the probability of assistive device
requirements post-operatively conditional on baseline FMS. RESULTS: Children in
GMFCS III showed more change than those in I/II at home and school. Those in
GMFCS III using crutches pre-operatively at home and school were more likely to
continue using them at 5 years, whereas those using walkers were more likely to
change to crutches or wheelchairs. Wheelchairs were most commonly used in the
community before and after single-event multilevel surgery. CONCLUSION: Mobility
was generally stable or improved at 5 years after single-event multilevel
surgery; however, a small number of children used more assistance to facilitate
mobility.

Langue : ANGLAIS