Alterations of Functional Activities and Leg Stiffness After Hamstring Lengthening in Cerebral Palsy Children
Alterations of Functional Activities and Leg Stiffness After Hamstring Lengthening in Cerebral Palsy Children
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most prevalent physical disabilities originating in childhood.
 Crouch gait is a common gait abnormality in patients with cerebral palsy, which is common
 treated with hamstring lengthening. This surgery can alter mechanical property of lower limb
 and affected ability of generating force in hamstring, leading changes in functional
 activities. Therefore, the first aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hamstring
 lengthening on pelvis and hip control while performing functional activity, including level
 walking and sit-to-stand.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most prevalent physical disabilities originating in childhood.
 Crouch gait is a common gait abnormality in patients with cerebral palsy, which is common
 treated with hamstring lengthening. This surgery can alter mechanical property of lower limb
 and affected ability of generating force in hamstring, leading changes in functional
 activities. Therefore, the first aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hamstring
 lengthening on pelvis and hip control while performing functional activity, including level
 walking and sit-to-stand.

 Gait or motion analysis has been used widely in the diagnosis of patients with locomotor
 pathology and the subsequent planning and assessment of treatment. Ten subjects diagnosed
 with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy and crouch gait will be recruited and ten healthy
 controls will be recruited in this study with inform consents. Detailed physical examination
 and motion analysis experiments will be performed in normal group and in spastic diplegic
 patients before the hamstring lengthening and follow ip after six months. The subjects would
 be asked to perform level walking with self-selected pace and sit-to-stand from an armless
 chair. For each test, subjects would repeat at least 5 times, with their kinematic, kinetic
 and EMG data collected simultaneously. With thorough analysis and comparison of these data,
 it is hoped that a reference in clinical decision of hamstring lengthening can be
 established, and a complete knowledge of the effects after hamstring lengthening, which will
 be helpful for future clinical rehabilitation.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  cerebral palsy

 -  couch gait

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -