Gillette Children's Gait and Motion Analysis Center Changes Care and Lives

Gillette Children's operates one of the world's busiest and more respected clinical gait and motion analysis centers.

The center uses innovative computer technology and motion analysis to analyze how muscles, joints, and nerves work together to make movement possible. The data collected at the center helps Gillette providers accurately identify issues and create an individual treatment plan for each child, teen, or adult.

Founded in 1987 by a group of innovative Gillette providers, research scientists, and bioengineers, the James R. Gage Gait and Motion Analysis Center has helped thousands of patients reach their full potential when it comes to walking and movement.

The center's medical director, orthopedic surgeon, Tom Novacheck, MD, says, “Families come here because they recognize that we use the data from the gait lab analysis to drive decisions.”

Revolutionizing care for cerebral palsy

Patients receiving a gait analysis wear small reflective sensors and special cameras positioned throughout the lab area record how a patient moves. In addition, patients might also wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth to help measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. This information helps to determine how much energy is required to walk.

One of the center's founders, and its namesake, retired Gillette orthopedic surgeon, James R. Gage, MD, is proud of how the data and treatment innovations discovered at the center have revolutionized the care for patients diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

“Back in the early 1990s, I looked at the data we were getting from our gait analysis center and discovered most of what I've been taught during my residency to help children who have cerebral palsy was wrong,” Gage says. “With the gait analysis we now base our surgical decision making on what the true pathology is and what we can realistically correct.”

A valuable database to improve care

The center currently has a database of the gait analysis from about 50,000 patients. Researchers and providers from around the world have used information collected at the center to improve treatments and care.

The center's current clinical director, Gillette orthopedic surgeon, Andrew Georgiadis, says, “The database and the gait lab are appreciated by physicians nationally and internationally. As a young surgeon myself, I'm the beneficiary of this data as I work to help patients.”

Gillette clinical scientist, Mike Schwartz, PhD, has worked at the gait analysis center for 25 years and calls the database, “A stroke of divine inspiration.” He adds the objective, accurate and precise data collected helps guide and support which treatment would be beneficial to patients.

Schwartz chuckles when he recalls an experience at a European conference for cerebral palsy care. “Someone came up to me at the conference and said, ‘I have no idea where St. Paul is, but I know where Gillette is!' Our reputation is impressive and makes us all feel proud.”

Retired orthopedic surgeon, Steven Koop, MD, was the medical director in the 1980s when Gillette decided to build the gait and motion center. “Our goal in building the lab was never to have it necessarily become world famous,” Koop recalls. “The goal was to create better patient care. At Gillette we continue to push for improved care and technology. We do that today and will continue this work into the future.”