Although changes in the gait pattern of children with spastic diplegia
1 year after selective dorsal rhizotomy have been well documented, mi
nimal information exists regarding the continued changes in the gait p
attern over time. Despite improvements in gait after rhizotomy, 66-75%
of patients still require orthopaedic surgery for residual deformitie
s. The optimal timing of the orthopaedic surgery after selective dorsa
l rhizotomy is not well established because of the lack of information
regarding changes in gait over a long term. Using three-dimensional g
ait analysis, the gait pattern of 23 children was evaluated preoperati
vely, 1 and 2 years postoperatively. There were significant improvemen
ts in hip, knee, and ankle motion at 1 year after surgery. Although im
provements in the gait pattern were found between 1 and 2 years after
surgery, the changes were not significant. Therefore orthopaedic inter
vention may be undertaken at 1 year after rhizotomy to enhance functio
n, as changes in gait from 1 to 2 years after rhizotomy are minimal.