Distribution of plantar pressure and body posture in spastic cerebral palsy

Abstract

Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) describes a group of permanent disorders of movement and posture due to a non-progressive disorder that occurs during the fetal or infant brain, may contribute to limitations in the functionality. Objective: To investigate the distribution of plantar pressures and the body posture in spastic CP. Methods: A descriptive case series study conducted at the Sector Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation Neurofunctional the University Hospital of Santa Maria -RS. Seven children with spastic CP, level I and II were included in the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Plantar pressures were analyzed using a baropodometry system -Footwork -and the type of the foot was calculated by index-ChipauxSmirak. Postural alignment was assessed subjectively in anteroposterior and lateral views. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The asymmetric distribution of plantar pressures were evidenced in hemiparetic, diparetic and quadriparetics CP evaluated and the prevalence of flat foot occurred. The most frequent postural changes were the forward and head tilt, elevation, tilt and protrusion of shoulder, cervical and lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, the anterversion and unevenness of the hip and pronation of the feet. Conclusions: In this group of children plantar pressures and posture proved to be altered. These findings may influence the prognosis of deformities and functional rehabilitation outcomes. The use of photometry and baropodometry may assist in a more efficient therapeutic intervention.