Short-term effects of combined serial casting and botulinum toxin injection for spastic equinus in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy

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Authors: Eun Sook Park ; Dong-wook Rha ; Jun Ki Yoo ; Sun Mi Kim ; Won Hyuk Chang ; Sang Hyuk Song

MeSH: Botulinum Toxins, Type A/therapeutic use* ; Casts, Surgical* ; Cerebral Palsy/complications ; Cerebral Palsy/physiopathology ; Cerebral Palsy/therapy* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Equinus Deformity/therapy* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neuromuscular Agents/therapeutic use* ; Range of Motion, Articular

Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to test the hypothesis that combination therapy of serial cast and botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection can further enhance the effects of a BTX-A injection in ambulant children with cerebral palsy (CP) who have an equinus foot.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children in group A (30 legs of 21 children) received a serial casting application after an injection of BTX-A, and children in group B (25 legs of 17 children) received only a BTX-A injection. Assessments were performed before the intervention and 1 month after the intervention.

RESULTS: After the intervention, there were significant improvements in tone, dynamic spasticity, and passive range of motion (ROM) in both groups. However, the changes were greater in group A than in group B. Dimension D (standing) in Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-66 was significantly improved in group A but not in group B. On the other hand, there were no significant changes in dimension E (walking, running, jumping) in GMFM-66 in either group.

CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that a serial casting application after BTX-A injection can enhance the benefits of BTX-A injection in children with cerebral palsy.