Therapeutic effect of the new multilevel brace orthosis on cerebral palsy gait: a case report.

Background: Infantile spastic bilateral cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common form of CP. Diplegia (with ambulatory ability) is mostly a chronic condition that impairs the ability to walk. Standard orthotic management includes hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis (HKAFO) as a pri-mary conservative treatment option to contrast spasticity and stabilise gait through partial immobilisation of the body structure. Multilevel brace orthosis (MLB) (Registered Trademark) is a specific type of light HKAFO designed to improve functional alignment and dynamic gait stability without limb immobilisation. Aim of the case report is to verify the effects of the MLB on the diplegic gait cycle.

Case: A child with a bilateral spastic gait due to CP diplegia is described. Gait analyses were performed to investigate the therapeutic effects of the MLB on walking.

Discussion: The MLB improved the gross motor function measure of walking and gait temporal parameters (velocity), compared with barefoot condition. During the swing phase, we observed a reduction in plantar and knee flexion, and the orthosis increased the width and length of the step.

Conclusion: Use of this specific type of HKAFO in children with diplegia improved gait symmetry and stability.