Gait Recovery in a Girl with Ischemic Spinal Cord Stroke

Background and Purpose: This case report describes an aggressive, task-specific program for the recovery of gait in a girl with a spinal cord stroke. Case description: The 11-year-old girl sustained a spinal cord stroke resulting in a T4 motor-incomplete lesion. Therapy was initiated 6 months after onset when she was not ambulating. Intervention: The focus of all interventions was on the restoration of gait. Locomotor treadmill training and over ground walking were the primary practice interventions. Walking was facilitated by orthoses, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, laser treatments, and strengthening. Treatment continued for 18 months. Outcomes: At the conclusion of therapy, the client was able to walk independently in the community with a single ankle foot orthosis and reverse rolling walker. Discussion: The outcome was not anticipated for this client, given the type and level of her injury and the delay in starting gait training.