Rehabilitation after femoral osteotomy in cerebral palsy

This is a study of the time required to return to preoperative functional levels after proximal femoral osteotomy in children with cerebral palsy. Seventy-one consecutive children who underwent proximal femoral osteotomy to treat an unstable hip secondary to cerebral palsy are retrospectively reviewed. All children returned to their preoperative ambulatory function within 30 months of the procedure. Children who were community or household ambulators returned to their preoperative function at a mean of 7 months after osteotomy, while wheelchair and therapeutic ambulators required a mean of 10 months. Children who had regular visits with a licensed therapist tended to return to function more quickly than those who had exercises preformed by their parents or care-takers after instruction by a therapist. The authors conclude that families should be advised that rehabilitation after osteotomy requires on average 7–10 months, but times up to 30 months are possible.