CP Hip Outcomes Project (CHOP)

Trial Name

CP Hip Outcomes Project (CHOP)

What is the trial about?

Children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) are at high risk of dislocating their hips. In this study, we want to find out which treatments work to prevent hip dislocation, and whether these treatments improve the quality of life of children with CP.

Who can participate?

You and your child are invited to participate in this study because your child is between the ages of 3 to 17 years old and has (or shows signs of) severe cerebral palsy. Your child’s physician has identified that your child’s hips are unstable, or have begun to dislocate. Your child also has no prior history of hip surgery and has not received Botox injections in the past 3 months.

What is involved?

If you and your child agree to participate in this study, you and your child will be asked to come to Nemours/Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children for 4 visits in two years. These visits will be scheduled on the same day as your child’s routine clinic appointment whenever possible. For some of you, the first visit will be before your child undergoes treatment for his/her hips. You and your child will then return for a follow up visit at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after your first visit.

In order to find out if your child’s treatment was effective, we will monitor your child’s hips before and after treatment. You and your child will also be asked to complete the CPCHILD questionnaires so that we can understand changes to your child’s quality of life before and after treatment.

Each visit will involve a physical exam by a physiotherapist to record your child’s range of motion. You (and your child if cognitively able) will fill out the CPCHILD questionnaire during this visit. Your treating physician will ask you and/or your child questions about your child’s health status. Your child’s routine x-ray film and/or medical chart will also be reviewed to record hip dislocation measurements. Allow for 2 hours of your day to complete one study visit, not including your child’s routine clinic appointment (if on the same day) and travel time. We are asking for you and your child to commit to 4 visits in two years.