Introduction

Children with cerebral palsy who are classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Levels I, II and III can achieve varying degrees of independent ambulation. How they walk impacts their daily activities and overall autonomy. Enhancing mobility through the strategic use of lower limb orthotics is often a key goal for clinicians, patients and parents. This course explores how orthotists prescribe and fit lower limb orthoses to improve gait biomechanics, postural stability, and energy efficiency during gait, focusing on commonly used ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs).

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• identify the main steps in an orthotics referral and the key components of the lower limb orthotics assessment for ambulatory children with cerebral palsy
• describe key stages in the development of the foot and at least three gait patterns and foot pathologies in cerebral palsy that may be managed with orthotics
• differentiate between the main features of flexible, jointed, rigid and dynamic ankle foot orthoses in terms of their general structure and prescription criteria

Target audience

This course is aimed at rehabilitation professionals, students and assistants including but not limited to Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Rehabilitation Doctors, Rehabilitation Nurses, Prosthetists, Orthotists, Psychologists, Audiologists, Dietetics, Social Workers. Community Health Workers, Nurses or Medical Doctors interested in this subject are also invited to participate.

Practicalities

• Availability - this course is online and can be completed on your own schedule.
• Hours of Learning - No deadlines are applied to this course and it can be started and completed in your own time according to your personal schedule. We expect the required elements to take around 1.5-2 hours depending on your schedule and learning style. Additionally there are many optional resources provided and if you choose to review these the course could take longer to complete.
• Types of Activities - This course includes instructional and/or practical videos, reading activities, AI supported learning activities, reflection, evaluation forms, a quiz and additional resources.
• Certificates - At the end of the course, when you have completed all of the required elements, you will be able to download a certificate of completion and 1.6 Plus points will be added to your personalised learning dashboard.

Instructor financial and non-financial disclosures

Donna Fisher: No relevant relationships disclosed by instructor.

Accessibility and Non-Discrimination Policy

Physiopedia Plus is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all participants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation or age in any aspect of our continuing education services. We are dedicated to ensuring that all learners can fully participate in our programmes. Participants who require accommodations or have special needs are encouraged to contact us with details so that we can make all reasonable efforts to meet these requirements.