what is casting for my todddlers legs?

KarimsMUM

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

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

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

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.

open_the_door

What decided for you to put your son in casts? Was it a doctor that suggested it, or from other parents? My son as seen several doctors and I have never heard of casting. I myself brought up the botox, and found out that our hospital was doing it. The doctor put in the consulation to see the neurologist, and walllllllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, he got his first series of botox.

annie777

He has an excellent very experienced physical therapist and she suggested the original casting and consulted with his doc before the first go round. He sees his physical therapist twice a week. I forgot to mention - he wears AFO's with an insert to prevent him getting up on his toes.

open_the_door

His therapist said yesterday that Peter wasn't a candidate at this time for casting. It is best to wait. He will get botox in the beginning of Nov. which will be an emotional day again.

Marcus&DeanaMum

Is casting the same as afo's?

open_the_door

casting is done by putting casts(serial) on legs(for the foot, ankle, help with hamstrings, calves), arms(for the forearm, hand, etc...), wherever it is needed to help stretch that part of the body(the muscles, tendons, etc....). Sometimes botox is applied before and then casts are put on (to help stretch those muscles because botox numbs, relaxes, paralyzes those muscles-temporarily).The cast(s) is only put there for 3-6 weeks. The cast(s) are not put there because of a broken limb(s). AFO's are ankle foot orthotics(leg braces) to help prevent toe walking. I think that DAFO's are dynamic ankle foot orthotics(same thing as AFO's).

Marcus&DeanaMum

thanks so much