Correlations between the Gait Profile Score and standard clinical outcome measures in children with idiopathic clubfoot.

BACKGROUND: Measures of overall gait deviations such as the Gait Profile Score (GPS) and the Gait Variable Score (GVS) are used to evaluate gait in clinical practice and for research purposes. In the clinical setting, gait deviations are often visually assessed and classified using structured protocols such as the Clubfoot Assessment Protocol (CAP). RESEARCH QUESTION: Determine the relationship between measures of overall gait deviations and clinical assessments. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated the usability of GPS and GVS in children with idiopathic clubfoot. Twenty consecutively born children with idiopathic clubfoot participated in this study. At 7 years of age, the children were referred for three-dimensional gait analysis and, on the same day, they also underwent a clinical examination according to the CAP. RESULTS: The overall gait deviations, expressed as the GPS (overall and affected side) and the GVS for nine key variables were calculated. The correlations between the GPS and values from CAP, its domains, and a single item called walking and between the item walking and the GVS values were analyzed using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs). The item walking correlated significantly with the GPS (rs = -0.62), and the GVS for foot progression (rs = -0.61) and foot dorsiflexion/plantarflexion (rs = -0.50). The domain "morphology" correlated with the GPS (rs = 0.64). SIGNIFICANCE: These findings indicate that the GPS index along with the GVS reflects gait deviations observed clinically in children with clubfoot.

Evaluation of gait, relapse and compliance in clubfoot treatment with custom-made orthoses.

Relapse after successful initial correction of idiopathic clubfoot with the Ponseti method is often related to poor compliance with the foot abduction orthosis (FAO). The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment with custom-made dynamic orthoses. Twenty children with idiopathic clubfoot (30feet) who had been treated with dynamic orthoses after the correction phase according to the Ponseti casting technique were evaluated. Relapse rates during orthotic treatment were registered. A Vicon gait analysis system was used to measure gait parameters at the age of seven years. The overall gait quality was estimated with the Gait Deviation Index (GDI). Data were analyzed with a nested mixed model and compared with a control group of 16 healthy children. No relapse occurred during the orthotic treatment. High compliance with the orthoses was observed based on parents' self report and physiotherapist observations. Gait analysis showed decreased ankle power and moment, increased internal foot progression, decreased dorsiflexion during stance, and increased plantar flexion at initial contact compared with the control group. Hip and shank rotations were normal. No calcaneus or equinus gait was observed. The mean GDI was 89.7 (range 71.6-104). The gait analysis outcomes and frequency of relapse were comparable to those of previous studies. Internal foot progression originated primarily from the foot level and was not, as frequently found after FAO treatment, compensated by external rotation at knee or hip level. In children exhibiting poor compliance with an FAO, this dynamic model is considered an effective alternative.