Ambulatory Potential in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Ambulation is a major concern in cerebral palsy (CP) rehabilitation. The present study was carried out in 175 CP cases, belonging to the age group of 2 years and above. The aim of the article was to identify the independent ambulators in different types of CP, to study the age of achieving independent ambulation, and to determine some parameters that affect ambulatory outcome.Among 175 cases, 69 (39.4%) cases were found to be able to walk independently. Of this, the maximum number of cases were children with spastic hemiplegia, 37 of 39 (94.9%), followed by children with spastic paraplegia, 7 of 18 (41.1%) and diplegia, 15 of 45 (33.1%). Majority of these children were found to have either normal intelligence or mild degree of mental retardation (MR). Degree of spasticity was mild in these cases. Majority of the children who were able to walk had achieved independent sitting by 2 years of age, i.e., in 54 of 69 (78.3%) cases.The present study highlights that CP children with spastic hemiplegia had the highest potential for independent walking. Spasticity of mild degree in association with a normal intelligence or mild degree of MR and achievement of independent sitting by 2 years of age appear to be favorable for ambulation.