The impact of postoperative gait analysis on the ongoing orthopaedic care o
f 38 consecutive patients with a static encephalopathy was evaluated. Of th
e 38 postoperative gait analyses, 32 (84%) resulted in recommendations of a
change in patient care. Surgery was recommended in 16 of 38 (42%) cases, b
racing in 20 (53%) cases, and specific physical therapy regimens in eight (
21%) cases, Eleven of the 38 (29%) patients had changes recommended in at l
east two of the three areas (surgery, bracing, and therapy). The results of
this study suggest that postoperative gait analysis serves not only as a m
easure of treatment outcome, but also as a useful tool in planning ongoing
care for these patients.