Single-event multilevel surgery to correct movement disorders in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common motor disability that may be congenital or acquired. Children with CP often have gait, balance, and posture abnormalities, some of which may be severe enough to interfere with safe ambulation or other activities of daily living. Nonsurgical and surgical interventions are part of the management plan for children with CP. Historically, surgeons addressed gait deviations individually and sequentially with single-level surgeries. However, computerized motion analysis and advances in orthopedic internal fixation devices have improved the outcomes for patients undergoing single-event multilevel surgery. This article provides perioperative RNs with a basic understanding of movement disorders that can be corrected with single-event multilevel surgery, the role of computerized motion analysis in making treatment decisions for ambulatory pediatric orthopedic patients with CP, and various treatment options for the movement disorders of children with CP.