Foot deformities in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Foot deformities are common among children with cerebral palsy. The three most common among them are equinus, planovalgus and equinovarus/equinocavovarus. Treatment consists of orthotics, physical therapy, spasticity reduction treatment and surgical correction. Guidelines for treatment are individualized and multifactorial. Important considerations include the child's level of function, the severity and flexibility of the deformity, the presence or absence of pain and skin irritation, and the changes in alignment observed over time.

AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®) Improves Function According to Goal Attainment in Children With Dynamic Equinus Due to Cerebral Palsy

“…Spasticity of the gastro-soleus muscle complex is common and often results in equinus foot posturing during the stance phase of gait. 1 This causes patients to frequently trip, fall, and also interferes with shoe wear and use of orthosis. Treatment of spasticity in these muscles aims to improve gait patterns, thereby improving motor function and mobility.…”

AbobotulinumtoxinA for Equinus Foot Deformity in Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Equinus is the most common foot deformity and is often associated with spasticity in the gastrosoleus muscle complex (GSC). 4 Treatment aims to reduce excessive plantarflexion, thereby improving gait and motor function.…”

Longitudinal change in foot posture in children with cerebral palsy

“…4 Abnormal foot postures are caused by muscle spasticity and imbalance, soft-tissue contractures, bony torsion and joint instability, 1,2,5,6 which all occur, for the young child, within a dynamic context of neurologic maturation and growth. Bony and soft tissue surgeries, 5,7 physical therapy, 8 foot and ankle orthoses, 6 and Botox injections 9 are all used to manage deformities of the foot and ankle in children with CP. Such a complicated scenario makes it impossible to document the natural history of foot deformity in children with CP, but improved knowledge of foot posture maturation can contribute to more effective treatment paradigms and critically evaluate outcomes.…”