Orthopaedic Physiotherapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Practical, evidence-informed guidance to support children and families through surgical decision-making, rehabilitation, and long-term outcomes.
Evidence-informed clinical content
Focused on real-world decision-making
Immediately applicable in practice
Why Orthopaedic Decision-Making in CP Feels So Complex
Children with cerebral palsy experience evolving musculoskeletal changes that influence movement, function, and long-term quality of life. Therapists are often expected to guide assessment, interpret evidence, and support families through difficult surgical and rehabilitation decisions—yet practical, clinically focused training is limited.
This course was created to provide clear, confident clinical direction grounded in both research and real-world pediatric practice.
A Practical Framework for Real Clinical Life
Participants gain the knowledge and clinical reasoning needed to confidently support children with CP across assessment, surgical pathways, and rehabilitation.
Participants will learn to:
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Understand common orthopaedic surgeries in CP
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Interpret gait, function, and timing of intervention
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Support families through complex decision-making
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Plan meaningful post-operative rehabilitation
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Connect current evidence to everyday clinical care
Format
2-day live virtual course
Audience
Pediatric physiotherapists and rehabilitation clinicians
Level
Entry level to advanced
Includes
Slides, clinical tips, resources, and certificate of completion
Learning Objectives
Orthopaedic Foundations
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Explain the natural history of musculoskeletal change in CP
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Identify common contractures, deformities, and alignment concerns
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Perform comprehensive orthopaedic assessment including ROM, tone, torsion, and radiographs
Surgical Decision-Making
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Describe common orthopaedic surgeries including hip procedures, SEMLS, and foot surgery
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Interpret gait findings to inform surgical timing
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Apply evidence to conservative vs surgical management decisions
Rehabilitation & Outcomes
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Plan effective post-operative rehabilitation
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Support long-term functional outcomes and participation
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Integrate evidence into everyday clinical reasoning
This Course Is Designed For
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Pediatric physiotherapists
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Rehabilitation clinicians working with CP
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Therapists supporting surgical pathways
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Clinicians seeking deeper orthopaedic confidence
Schedule
Day 1 — Orthopaedic Assessment and Hip Health
Focus on foundational assessment and early musculoskeletal change.
Topics include:
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Assessment of tone (MAS, Modified Tardieu, HAT) and range of motion
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Evaluation of torsional alignment and structural variation
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Identification of common hip, knee, foot, and spinal concerns
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Hip displacement: surveillance, prevention, and treatment
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Hip surgery and principles of post-operative rehabilitation
Day 2 — Gait, Surgery, and Rehabilitation
Application of assessment findings to surgical decision-making and long-term care.
Topics include:
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Typical gait development, kinematics, and EMG patterns
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Visual gait analysis: terminology and clinical reasoning
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Gait classification in CP and the role of orthoses
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Multilevel orthopaedic surgery: indications, timing, and outcomes
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Common surgical procedures and alternative approaches
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Physiotherapy management before and after surgery
Course Registration
APRIL 17 and 18, 2026, 9:30am-5pm EST
Standard Registration
$___ CAD
Includes
- 2 full days of live teaching
- Downloadable resources and tools
- Certificate of completion
Build Confidence in Orthopaedic Care for Children with CP
Join pediatric clinicians strengthening their clinical reasoning, surgical understanding, and rehabilitation planning through practical, evidence-informed education
