Cerebral Palsy, Rhizotomy, and Gait Lab Study

A Gait Lab Study is done to determine the way someone walks (their gait). People with cerebral palsy have difficulty walking, and looking closely at how they walk provides information about how their body works, and what muscle groups are affected, shortened, etc.

My daughter, Nina, has spastic diplegia. Before her rhizotomy (SDR: selective dorzal rhizotomy) her cerebral palsy was quite involved. They chart kids in a 1-4 scale. One being mild, and four being most involved. My daughter was at a four before this surgery.

Before her rhizotomy, Nina had a gait lab analysis. This last Monday, she had another gait lab done to determine her progress two years following her surgery, and determine the next steps.

The progress she has made in two years is pretty amazing! Here is a before and after video.