Botox is frequently used as an adjunct to serial casting. In my previous Botox post, I wrote that no research had been done that proved this combo to be useful. Well, I was writing to a CP parent on a message board, re: use of Botox and decided to do a little extra research. Here is the clearest little bit of info on the matter,Botulinum Toxin as an Adjunct to Serial Casting Treatment in Children with Cerebral Palsy, and here is the conclusion:
Conclusions:The present study demonstrates the efficacy ofserial casting in the treatment of equinus contractures in childrenwith cerebral palsy who are able to walk ( emphasis mine ). Contrary to our hypothesis,the addition of botulinum toxin A to a serial casting regimenled to earlier recurrence of spasticity, contracture, and equinusduring gait. The results of the present study suggest that botulinumtoxin combined with serial casting for the treatment of fixedcontractures will lead to a recurrence of plantar flexor spasticityand equinus contracture by six months in this patient population. Whileprevious research has indicated that the injection of botulinumtoxin A is superior to casting for the treatment of dynamicequinus, the present study suggests that serial casting aloneis preferable for the treatment of fixed equinus contracturesin children with cerebral palsy.I found another study here (http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FDMC%2FDMC46_12%2FS0012162204 and here, just so you know. Remember, before you make a decision, do your homework. That's all I ask.
|
Conclusions:The present study demonstrates the efficacy ofserial casting in the treatment of equinus contractures in childrenwith cerebral palsy who are able to walk ( emphasis mine ). Contrary to our hypothesis,the addition of botulinum toxin A to a serial casting regimenled to earlier recurrence of spasticity, contracture, and equinusduring gait. The results of the present study suggest that botulinumtoxin combined with serial casting for the treatment of fixedcontractures will lead to a recurrence of plantar flexor spasticityand equinus contracture by six months in this patient population. Whileprevious research has indicated that the injection of botulinumtoxin A is superior to casting for the treatment of dynamicequinus, the present study suggests that serial casting aloneis preferable for the treatment of fixed equinus contracturesin children with cerebral palsy.
I found another study here (http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FDMC%2FDMC46_12%2FS0012162204 and here, just so you know. Remember, before you make a decision, do your homework. That's all I ask.