943 Spasticity in cerebral palsy stems from a net disinhibition of spinal reflexes because of a primary non-progressive cere-bral lesion. The resulting hyperactive reflexes and increased muscle tone create a dynamic, shortening deformity which is exacerbated by longitudinal skeletal growth in the growing child. This makes the management of dynamic deformities such as an equinus gait by physioth...

BACKGROUND Although botulinum toxin is a well-established treatment of focal spasticity in cerebral palsy, most trials have been small, and few have simultaneously assessed measures of muscle tone and clinical benefit. METHODS Global, randomized, controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of abobotulinumtoxinA versus placebo in cerebral palsy children with dynamic equinus foot deformi...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to find an objective graduation of pes equinus in infantile cerebral palsy, especially with regard to functional aspects, to allow a differentiated choice of the therapeutic options. Very often raises the question of whether a surgical lengthening of the Achilles tendon may let expect a functional improvement. METHODS For this documentation 17 patients wit...

We assessed the medium-term outcome of three methods of isolated calf lengthening in cerebral palsy by clinical examination, observational gait analysis and, where appropriate, instrumented gait analysis. The procedures used were percutaneous lengthening of tendo Achillis, open Z-lengthening of tendo Achillis and lengthening of the gastrosoleus aponeurosis (Baker's procedure). We reviewed 195 p...

Equinus, varus, cavus, and adduction are typical signs of congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV). Forefoot adduction remains a difficulty from using previous corrective methods. This study aims to develop a corrective method to reduce the severity of forefoot adduction of CTEV children with moderate deformities during their walking age. The devised method was compared with 2 other common correct...

Equinus gait, a common movement abnormality among individuals with stroke and cerebral palsy, is often associated with knee hyperextension during stance. Whether there exists a causal mechanism linking equinus foot placement with knee hyperextension remains unknown. To investigate the response of the musculoskeletal system to equinus foot placement, a forward dynamic simulation of normal walkin...