Muscle length and force production in patients with cerebral palsy-the effects of tendon lengthening

Muscle weakness is a major contributor to gait deformity in patients with cerebral palsy. Concern has been raised that lengthening muscles could exacerbate this weakness. Using the model described by Eames (1997) to measure muscle length, increase in muscle length was seen after Achilles tendon lengthening in 12 limbs of patients with cerebral palsy. Push-off power generation at the ankle increased rather than decreased. Appropriate lengthening of the gastrocnemius/soleus muscle can result in an increase in pushoff power as measured by gait analysis.