Foot Progression Angle in Relation to Spatiotemporal Parameters of Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the difference in the foot progression angle and measure spatiotemporal parameters of gait of children with diplegic cerebral palsy and to examine the relation among foot progression angle of right and left lower limb and spatiotemporal parameters of gait. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and Correlation study. SUBJECTS: Sixty children with spastic diplegia, aged 5 to 8 years. The participants were categorized into 3 age groups of equivalent number: group A (5 to 6 years), group B (6 to 7 years), as well as group C (7 to 8 years). METHODS: Foot progression angle and spatiotemporal parameters of the gait for both feet were evaluated utilizing a dynamic footprint. RESULTS: a moderate negative significant correlation was noted among left FPA and right step length, and right stride length. There was moderate positive significant correlation among left FPA and cadence . A weak non-significant correlation was observed among right and left FPA and gait parameters among three groups. CONCLUSION: foot progression angle assessment and spatiotemporal measurements and the correlation among them can give objective and quantitative data that could be utilized in rehabilitation and clinical evaluations to identify functional deficiencies.