ABSTRACT
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is characterized as movement and posture disorders that cause performance limitations in activities easily performed by children with typical development (TD). Our study aimed to compare plantar pressure distribution and foot morphology between children with CP and TD, using an observational analytical research, of cross-sectional and comparative type, with 32 children between 6 and 11 years old, paired by gender and age, distributed in study group (SG) and control group (CG). We assessed the plantar distribution with the Footwork electronic baropodometry system and classified foot type by the Chippaux-Smirak Index. The SG obtained greater values on anterior weight-bearing and lower on posterior weight-bearing (p=0.02). In addition, SG showed lower mean pressure values for right (p=0.00) and left feet (p=0.01), when compared with the CG. Most children showed the same type of foot bilaterally, with the prevalence of flat feet in SG and cavus feet in the CG. Children with spastic CP who presented preserved locomotor performance, or with some dysfunction, revealed antepulsion posture, smaller mean plantar pressures, and flat foot prevalence when compared with children with TD.
Keywords:
Foot Deformities; Foot, Children, Cerebral Palsy, Evaluation