To evaluate the effects of surgery for an equinus gait on the kinematic and kinetic parameters of ankle and proximal joints in cerebral palsy spastic hemiplegics.

Sixteen spastic hemiplegic patients who had undergone a surgical correction for equinus were enrolled in this study. The kinematic and kinetic parameters during gait were assessed using computed gait analysis before and after surgery.

Postoperatively, the ankle range of motion was significantly improved and the temporospatial parameters were not significantly changed. The angular movement of the ankle joint and pelvis were improved. However, the kinetic parameters of the ankle joint were unaffected. In patients with a recurvatum knee gait pattern prior to surgery, the kinematic and kinetic parameters of the knee joint were significantly improved. The angular movements of pelvis after surgery were improved in patients with pelvic external rotation preoperatively.

Genu recurvatum and pelvic external rotation during the gait in spastic hemiplegic CP might be improved by a surgical correction of the equinus deformity.