When young Alex Weinstein’s cerebral palsy progressed to a point where he was falling more and his legs were bowing, his family feared he would have to rely on a wheelchair. Additionally, doctors weren’t sure where to operate to address the issue. The answer? Motion analysis.
In motion analysis, reflective markers are put on the individual’s body. Digital cameras follow the markers and send that information to a computer, giving doctors a 360 degree view of the body in motion. The computer analysis let doctors pinpoint where to operate.
Alex underwent a surgery in which his legs and feet were rotated, and his hamstrings and hip muscles were lengthened. He is now learning to walk again with “new” legs!
Motion analysis is only available in limited areas and is not always covered by insurance. That said, the more that families and doctors become aware of such treatment options, the more widespread this great technology could become.