Gait Analysis

Jacquelin Perry, MD's interest in gait began in college (UCLA). A major in physical education (1935-1940) introduced her to anatomy and provided a strong background in kinesiology with application to sports. Part of this experience was her attendance at the Physical Therapy Clinic of the Los Angeles Children's Hospital where she began her exposure to disability. Subsequently, she became a physical therapist (Walter Reed Army Hospital, 1941), which expanded her knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology, and disability. Her physical therapy experience in Army hospitals during World War II provided a broad clinical experience (1941-1945). After the war ended, she used her GI bill to go to medical school (UC San Francisco, 1946-1950) for the specific purpose of becoming an orthopaedic surgeon. Dr. Perry's residency in orthopaedic surgery (UCSF, 1951-1955) occurred during the period when poliomyelitis and reconstructive surgery were strong clinical programs. Observational gait analysis and experience in correcting disabled gait became daily practice. Her next move was to join the staff of the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. In 1955, poliomyelitis was the entire focus of the rehabilitation program. Disability of lower limbs, spine, and arms were all major concerns while bracing and reconstructive surgery received equal emphasis. Developed in conjunction with a group of knowledgeable and dedicated physical therapists, the Rancho Los Amigos Observational Gait Analysis System became highly organized. For the first time, there was a means of cataloging the multiple dysfunctions that occur with the various types of pathology. For the past 25 plus years, they have taught this program nationwide. The organizational background of this book is based on this program. A second development was the gait laboratory (1968). During her career, Dr. Perry has received numerous awards for her pioneering work in many areas of gait and orthopaedics. She received the Kappa Delta Award (Orthopedic Research Society, 1976) for landmark work with dynamic electromyography to define muscle function in cerebral palsy and the Isabelle and Leonard H. Goldson Award in Technology (United Cerebral Palsy Research and Education Foundation, 1981). She was a Shands Lecturer (American Orthopaedic Association, 1988) and received the Shands Award (Orthopaedic Research Society, 1999). Dr. Perry received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society (2000) and The Scoliosis Research Society (2008). In December of 2008, the University of Southern California dedicated the Jacquelin Perry Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory in her honor. Dr. Perry continues her lifelong dedication to the research and clinical application of gait. This publication encompasses the extensive work of Dr. Perry and her successful years as a therapist and a surgeon renowned for her expertise in human gait.