[shy_bear]

Our physical therapist feels A will end up with casts on his legs and braces. He is almost 9mths. Has been crawling since 6mths, and is now cruising around the furniture. Problem is he is still so stiff in his ankles and will not get off of his toes. He curls his toes under then gets up on them..if that makes sense. His toes are raw from the carpet. I went today and bought some shoes she suggested to see if that will help. I feel for him...everytime we turn around it is something else. He had such a rough start; now it is doc appts, therapy, etc. This kid can't get a break!!!! I know there are many kids worse off than him and everything we are doing will help him in the future, my heart breaks for him though. He gets so upset and frustrated at times. Sorry to whine!!!!

[shy_bear]

I guess I should have asked has anyone's child had the casting done???

[seekfirstthekingdom]

My bio son has mild cp and he has botox injections every so often and then casting, he actually just 1 week ago got out of his cast.

The botox paralizes the muscles so they can be stretched out he only has it done on one leg because of the stiffness, but it does wonders and as long as he exercises often it keeps loosened up.

after he quist growing they will do a surgery to lengthen it, so the botox has got him thru without alot of surgeries. he did have 2 surgeries before we started the botox and they worked but not for long..

I hope this helps..

[aspenhall]

My husband had seral casting (and ankle breaking) till her was 4 to correct an inturned foot....To this day he HATES the doctor....but the casting didn't slow him down at all!

[qs mom]

My cousin had casting on both her feet for club feet. She learned to walk with casts on. And she learned how to get back at her big brother. Her feet are still deformed to a degree, but she's fine - ran track in high school. Now she only falls off of bar stools.

My friends grandson had a stroke as a newborn preemie. He toe walked. They casted him, but it didn't help much. He is having Botox and it it doing wonders for him.

[Lylac]

My daughter had botox and serial casting on her left arm, leg and ankle. It did wonders for her.

Botulinum toxin type A, or botox, is a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that reduces the rigidity of muscles or unwanted spasms in a specific muscle. Botox is produced from the bacteria that causes food poisoning and provides relief for muscle stiffness at the site of injection. Though high doses of botox can be deadly, the very small doses used in cerebral palsy cases. Over the past ten years, the use of botox has shifted from wrinkle reduction to successfully treating muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy, making botox and cerebral palsy a hugely successful match.

The marriage of botox and cerebral palsy may seem odd at first, but is actually quite practical. When prepared for therapeutic use, botox is injected in small amounts into the spastic or stiff muscles. It begins to take effect by blocking transmission between the nerves and the affected muscles. The injection stops the signal between the nerve and the muscle, relaxing the muscle and reducing stiffness. Botox only affects the muscles that are injected and once the muscles are relaxed, therapists are able to stretch the muscles and stimulate normal growth.

Botox injections can offer many benefits including ease in stretching, improvement in child’s range of motion, tolerance to wearing braces and developmental improvements in crawling, standing, or gait changes.

Normally (at least here) you get botox injection..wait 72 hours, then a cast is put on for 1 week (to check for tolerance and skin break down) They take that one off and put another one on. Then the schedule goes on 2 weeks ..off 1 week..and repeat. Until it's time to get another injection..which is normally around 12 weeks.

Keep in mind that, this will be a long term treatment, and once you stop..if not stretched, and in braces, you will lose what you've gained.

Also as the child grows and muscles get bigger, the botox has less and less effect.

Example: You'd normally see more progress in an arm/hand than you would in a leg.

Lyla had to end up getting her achiles tendon lengthened. That was the BEST thing we've ever done.

Why so much about Botox? Because the casting and injections go hand in hand.

Hope this helps