Cerebral Palsy maybe/maybe not

For walking (as opposed to ‘stepping’), maybe the most important thing to notice is ‘the wheel’. Transfer of weight & momentum from one side to the other side is seamless passing through the wheel . It is a point to point narrow based weight transfer with a trailing foot on toe and a leading foot on heel. In the absence of sensation, no matter what else is noted, you will not see this. If you have a wheel, then be careful not to lose it chasing spasticity shadows. Power loss of a weak gastroc-soleus can also lose the wheel. Think SACH. You do not want more range of motion. You want effective roll over. With braces – don’t over stabilize. If there is calf weakness, or sensory loss then don’t put hinges there.

And the point is?