Tadmor Shrine         Akron, Ohio

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In this episode of the Pediatric Frontlines podcast, Ross Chafetz, PT, Ph.D., corporate director of MAC at Shriners Children's, discusses the growth of the program as well as its innovations, from portable labs to a published gait model. 00:00 Introductions 00:55 What is a modern MAC and how does it differ from traditional gait observations? 00:56 How is a MAC different from traditional gait observations or video assessments in a clinic? 01:03 Traditional gait assessment: from notes and guesses to measurements 01:28 Marker-based motion capture and precise quantification of gait 02:04 MAC origin story 02:18 Evolution of MAC technology from early measurement to infrared 02:52 Hollywood-style motion capture in healthcare 03:38 Instrumentation stack: cameras, force plates, EMG 03:49 Integrating data streams: markers, force plates, EMG 04:56 Integrated report: combining kinematics, force, EMG 05:02 Multidisciplinary data review 05:07 Multidisciplinary team meeting to tailor care 05:28 Shriner's MAC network scale and impact 05:36 MAC informs decision-making across conditions 05:42 Dataset shaping decisions across CP, scoliosis, and sports injuries 05:54 Current dataset leverage and gaps 06:03 Final decisions rest with the surgeon and physician 06:07 Imaging informs but does not dictate surgery 06:12 Guiding possible surgeries 06:19 MAC informs best possible decision 06:24 Sports analysis and upper-limb (brachial plexus) injuries 06:33 Arm motion and brachial plexus injuries 06:52 Not only gait: broader applications of MAC 06:58 Expanding impact across pediatric care 07:12 What makes a strong referral to MAC? 07:18 When should specialists refer to MAC? 07:24 What should they expect back from a MAC report? 07:32 Baseline data across development to track progress 08:01 The importance of baseline data for tracking development 08:11 Graphs and quantifiable progress 08:25 Pre-op baseline and post-op outcomes 08:32 Post-op outcomes and next steps 08:42 Case where MAC findings changed surgical plan 09:52 Scale unlocked clinically and scientifically by MAC 10:04 Cross-site collaboration and standardization across labs 11:10 Digital integration and the gait model publication 11:22 Standardization process across labs 12:20 Public release and external use of the gait model 13:00 Rare conditions and longitudinal outcomes 14:02 AI and machine learning in analyzing outcomes 15:03 Portable motion analysis labs for international outreach 16:35 Ten-year outlook for pediatric motion analysis 16:46 AI leadership and surgical outcomes 16:56 Markerless technology and home-based motion capture 17:40 Where to find more information 17:46 Subscribe to Pediatric Front Lines #GaitAnalysis #Pediatrics #Biomechanics #PhysicalTherapy #shrinerschildrens #podast