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Comparing botulinum toxin A with casting for treatment of dynamic equinus in children with cerebral palsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2005

Jeffrey D Ackman
Affiliation:
Shriners Hospitals for Children: Chicago, Erie, Intermountain, Portland, and Springfield, USA.
Barry S Russman
Affiliation:
Shriners Hospitals for Children: Chicago, Erie, Intermountain, Portland, and Springfield, USA.
Susan Sienko Thomas
Affiliation:
Shriners Hospitals for Children: Chicago, Erie, Intermountain, Portland, and Springfield, USA.
Cathleen E Buckon
Affiliation:
Shriners Hospitals for Children: Chicago, Erie, Intermountain, Portland, and Springfield, USA.
Michael D Sussman
Affiliation:
Shriners Hospitals for Children: Chicago, Erie, Intermountain, Portland, and Springfield, USA.
Peter Masso
Affiliation:
Shriners Hospitals for Children: Chicago, Erie, Intermountain, Portland, and Springfield, USA.
James Sanders
Affiliation:
Shriners Hospitals for Children: Chicago, Erie, Intermountain, Portland, and Springfield, USA.
Jacques D'Astous
Affiliation:
Shriners Hospitals for Children: Chicago, Erie, Intermountain, Portland, and Springfield, USA.
Michael D Aiona
Affiliation:
Shriners Hospitals for Children: Chicago, Erie, Intermountain, Portland, and Springfield, USA.
Affiliation:
Shriners Hospitals for Children: Chicago, Erie, Intermountain, Portland, and Springfield, USA.
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the cumulative efficacy (three treatment sessions) of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) alone, casting alone, and the combination of BTX-A and casting in the management of dynamic equinus in ambulatory children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Thirty-nine children with spastic CP (mean age 5y 10mo, range 3 to 9y) were enrolled in the study. A multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled prospective study was used. Children were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: BTX-A only (B), placebo injection plus casting (C), or BTX-A plus casting (B+C). The dosage for the BTX-A injections was 4U/kg per extremity. Assessments were performed at baseline, 3, 6, 7.5, and 12 months with a total of three treatments administered after the evaluations at baseline, 3, and 6 months. Primary outcome measures were ankle kinematics, velocity, and stride length. Secondary outcome measures were ankle spasticity, strength, range of motion, and ankle kinetics. Group B made no significant change in any variable at any time. Groups C and B+C demonstrated significant improvements in ankle kinematics, spasticity, passive range of motion, and dorsiflexor strength. Results of this 1-year study indicate that BTX-A alone provided no improvement in the parameters measured in this study, while casting and BTX-A/casting were effective in the short- and long-term management of dynamic equinus in children with spastic CP.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
© 2005 Mac Keith Press

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