Article

Orthopedic procedures are a method of treating gait deviations and
musculoskeletal pathology that develop with age in cerebral palsy (CP). Recently
single-event multilevel surgery (SEMLS) has become common practice. Although
there is evidence that SEMLS could improve gait, it is unclear whether it will
enhance overall physical functioning and coping strategies in the real-life
environment. It is unclear how improved walking capacity affects actual
functioning and enables greater independence. The aim of this study was to
examine the perceptions of adolescents concerning the results of surgery on
personal physical functioning in the environment five or more years after SEMLS.
In this study, qualitative data were gathered by open interviews and analyzed
using phenomenographic approach, which aims to study variation in human
understanding and perceptions of the phenomenon in question. Gait Profile Score
(GPS) was used to describe the objective change. The results indicate that SEMLS
had a clear positive effect on the participants' physical functioning capacity,
particularly experienced as better walking ability. GPS improved by 3.5 degrees
five years postoperatively. Surgery could enhance physical activity and the
motivation to maintain mobility in the future. The perceptions of the effect of
surgery on physical functioning in the real-life environment varied from a
challenge-avoiding, support-seeking agency to a highly active, independent agency
in daily life. Our rehabilitation practice after multilevel surgery should be
more focused on enhancing active agency in collaboration with adolescents with CP
and their families.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS