what is casting for my todddlers legs? - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

poko · 10-11-2007, 03:12 PM

what is casting for my todddlers legs?

KarimsMUM · 10-12-2007, 02:22 AM

They use serial casting to lengthen spastic musculature. Sometimes this is a treatment done on its own or sometimes will be used in conjunction with botox injections. Thats all I really konw, my son has not been casted as yet.

annie777 · 10-15-2007, 11:10 AM

My son has had casting with and without botox injections. Casting is done for a period of weeks - with my son he receives new casts every week to push his foot and ankle into a more flat position. It is very helpful in giving the muscles a long stretch, with my son it worked much better with the botox injections done a couple of weeks before the casts went on.

open_the_door · 10-16-2007, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annie777

My son has had casting with and without botox injections. Casting is done for a period of weeks - with my son he receives new casts every week to push his foot and ankle into a more flat position. It is very helpful in giving the muscles a long stretch, with my son it worked much better with the botox injections done a couple of weeks before the casts went on.

How old was your son during this procedure(casting)? When did he start receiving botox? My son is now 3. He started walking holding your hand at alittle over 2 years old(very limited). He is now using his walker more(Thank God!), and has even taken steps on his own(he is so tight though). When did your son start walking(if he does) without any assistance. My son has been receiving botox since he was about 2 years 5 months old, and has had 3 sessions with that. He is doing well with it. The last time, he got so many units that it really paralyzed his hamstrings making him use his butt muscles more and making it harder to walk but he has adjusted. His next botox shots will be in Nov. sometime.

I'm sorry if I have asked so many questions. It seems like you learn more from parents than doctors.

annie777 · 10-16-2007, 11:14 AM

My son had is first casting without botox at about 16 months. He kicked off the casts on his tightest leg - 3 times in 2 weeks! We did casting twice without botox and he was given botox for the first time at 27 months. He gets the botox every April and November and then the casts go on about 2 weeks after the shots. The serial casting is 3 weeks. He took his first independent steps at 23 months and would say he was walking fairly independently at 28 months. He still needs help with stairs and curbs and started "running" at 36 months - he is now 3 yrs 2 months.