New Laboratory Studies Motion of CP Patients

Over the years, technology has become more advanced and has helped doctors become aware of how to treat patients with disabilities like cerebral palsy.

Many children throughout the country are living with neuromuscular problems and the Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago now offers new hope with their Motion Analysis Laboratory.

Helping Children with Movement and Coordination

One of the many devices that have been introduced in the laboratory helps capture the movement of patients who have abnormalities when they walk.

Doctors are able to better see what is causing the complication by placing markers on the knees, pelvis and ankles.

The markers are connected to various cameras around the room through invisible lights and data from the cameras is then sent to a computer that creates a three dimensional figure of the patient.

“The natural tendency is to focus on one problem,” states Dr. Peter Smith, who played a key role in opening the laboratory, “but the motion analysis helps to identify all the different segments of the body and how they’re working together.”

Doctors Learn, Patients Have Fun

While doctors analyze the various ways the joints bend through the computer data, the devises are serve as a fun tool for the patients to play with and also learn from.

Children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities are able to see how movement is captured by actors and then transformed into animated characters for video games and animated films when they’re in the laboratory.

(Source: Chicago Tribune)

Do you have a child who was born with cerebral palsy? Please contact a cerebral palsy attorney who will ensure you and your loved ones are getting the guidance and support you need.