Dr. Shrader, an orthopedic surgeon, leads the hip surveillance initiative for the CP Research Network.

After taking a break during the last month of summer, our MyCP webinar series will resume on Wednesday, September 29 at 8 pm ET with a presentation on our hip research program. Hip pain is the most frequent cause of pain in children with cerebral palsy and can cause problems with mobility and range of motion. We have begun a hip surveillance program at our the CP Research Network centers to proactively address this issue—a very challenging task to undertake. Our upcoming webinar will feature Dr. Wade Shrader, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and Division Chief of Cerebral Palsy at Nemours/AI duPont Hospital in Wilmington, DE who leads this effort for the network. He is also the parent of four children, two of whom are adults with CP.

In order to protect the hips of children with CP, the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Development Medicine (AACPDM) released an updated “care pathway” recommending the frequency and techniques for monitoring the hip health of children with CP in June 2018. Care pathways combine the latest evidence-based medicine and expert opinion to provide guidance on how to treat complex conditions. Dr. Shrader will discuss the anatomy of childrens’ hips, the impact of CP, the importance of monitoring hips, and how parents and caregivers can advocate for their child’s hip health.

“I know first-hand as a Dad how tough recovery from hip reconstruction surgery can be, “ said Dr. Shrader. “I’m looking forward to talking with the CPRN community about hip issues in Cerebral Palsy, and to give my perspective as both a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and a family member.”