Ava’s Gait and Motion Analysis Story | Gillette Children's

A gait and motional analysis at Gillette Children's helped guide Ava's treatment for cerebral palsy. Ava’s family describes her as determined—a real go-getter. She’s the kind of kid who decides what she wants and works hard to get it. Born a micro preemie weighing less than one pound, Ava came to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare when she began missing milestones like crawling and walking. Doctors at Gillette diagnosed Ava with cerebral palsy. At 3 years old, Ava received her first evaluation at the James R. Gage Center for Motion Analysis at Gillette. Learn more about gait analysis: http://www.gillettechildrens.org/cond.... “In the gait analysis laboratory we have a lot of different pieces of technology,” says Tom Novacheck, M.D. “But the single most important piece of technology is the ability to measure movement.” Novacheck is medical director of the James R. Gage Center for Gait and Motion Analysis. He is also Ava’s orthopedic surgeon. He describes Ava as a ball of energy and a bright light. At 4 years old, Ava underwent selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery—a complex procedure that permanently reduced her spasticity, or muscle tightness, that was making movement difficult. Two years later, she underwent orthopedic surgery to straighten her legs and feet. Her treatments were guided by gait analysis. As a result of her treatments, Ava walks independently, only needing support from leg braces. She is active and loves to run. She enjoys swimming and participating in adaptive sports. Today, she does whatever she wants to do.