PED | Assessment of Complex Gait and Motor Patterning in Pediatrics

Overview:
This webinar will discuss the assessment of complex gait and motor patterning in pediatrics with motion capture. Three-dimensional computerized gait analysis (CGA) can be used to compare pre- and post-interventions, such as surgery, bracing, and other gait interventions. Evidence supports the use of 3-D CGA in pre-operative assessments as it provides objective data, has been shown to reduce the number of surgeries on children, and results in better long-term management of children with ambulation challenges. However, there are a limited number of gait or motion labs in Canada and it is important for clinicians and community therapists to be well versed in observational gait analysis and robust physical examination. 

Instructor Biographies:
Karen Davies started her professional practice at BC Children’s Hospital in 1999, rotating in a new graduate position every 6 months through cardiology, general respirology, adolescent care, intensive care, oncology, and outpatients. Following this, she volunteered in a polio clinic in India for 6 months, training community rehabilitation workers in remote locations. She then worked at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in the neuromusculoskeletal, acquired brain injury and spinal cord injury programs. She returned to pediatrics in 2004 in the Acute Rehabilitation program at Sunny Hill Health Centre at BC Children’s. She spent some time on the Positioning and Mobility team, did early intervention and school therapy outreach services for 2 years for North Vancouver Island and started in the Motion Lab (previously Gait Lab) in 2007. In the Motion Lab, she has served the role as knowledge broker, been a research assistant for a multi-centre research project, completed her MSc degree looking at the long-term outcomes of idiopathic toe walkers and am currently leading a 3-year pilot project to determine the feasibility of implementing a community-based rowing program for adolescents with cerebral palsy.

Learning Objectives:

1. Upon completion, participants will have practical strategies to incorporate physical exam measurements in the assessment of pathological gait in children and adolescents.
2. Distinguish between scenarios when computerized gait analysis is indicated versus observational gait analysis.
3. Utilized gait analysis data in the assessment of common gait pathology in children.

Cost:

• Free for Paediatric Division members
• $10 for CPA members (not members of the division)
• $25 for non-members

The webinar recording will be distributed to registrants a week following the event, please stay tuned to your inbox or spam folder.