Our Approach to Improving Mobility
Mobility is a top concern for children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their families. Surgery can seem like a big step, but it often is the best way to help children with CP improve their walking skills and maintain that ability for life.
A comprehensive, two-day surgical evaluation at Cincinnati Children’s can provide answers and help your family chart a clear path forward. During the evaluation, your child will see nationally and internationally respected CP experts from neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, the Motion Analysis Lab, and rehabilitation medicine. These specialists will:
- Consider your child’s specific needs from their areas of expertise
- Use state-of-the-art technology in our Motion Analysis Lab to pinpoint the underlying contributors of walking difficulties
- Discuss and coordinate their expert recommendations
- Meet as a team with your family to discuss their recommendations and answer questions
- Provide an individualized treatment plan that may include surgery
This evaluation is an excellent option for families who do not live in the Cincinnati area and don’t have access to expert CP care close to home. It is available for local families as well.
Our evaluation coordinator will schedule your child’s appointments in a well-coordinated manner. If you’re traveling to Cincinnati for the evaluation, we will assist with travel and lodging considerations. The goal is to make your visit as efficient, effective, and productive as possible.
Learn more about what to expect during a two-day evaluation.
Is the Comprehensive Surgical Evaluation Right for Your Child?
The comprehensive surgical evaluation is for children who:
- Have cerebral palsy
- Are 2 to 18 years old
- Can walk, with or without assistance, but could potentially improve their walking abilities through surgery
There are many reasons you may consider bringing your child to Cincinnati Children’s for the evaluation:
- Your child is a toddler who is not walking well or not meeting their walking milestones or goals.
- Your child is losing some early walking skills.
- Therapies that seemed to be helping your child’s walking abilities initially aren’t working as well anymore.
- You’ve researched surgical options that seem promising, but your local hospitals don’t offer them.
Other Options for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Cincinnati Children’s offers different options for children who are unlikely to benefit from the two-day visit, including:
- Nonsurgical interventions for walkers and non-walkers alike — available in the Rehabilitation Medicine Cerebral Palsy Clinic.
- Orthopaedic surgeries that may be able to reduce pain and improve long-term abilities — available in our Orthopaedic Cerebral Palsy Clinic.
