[Muscular lengthening of the triceps by successive casts in children with cerebral palsy].

Purpose Of The Study: Twenty children with cerebral palsy who underwent elongation of the triceps surae using successive plaster-casts (28 short triceps) were reviewed. This study was retrospective.

Material And Methods: Among the eighteen children, 10 were hemiplegic, 8 were diplegic and 2 were spastic quadriparetic. All of them except one were ambulatory children. The authors describe their elongation technique by plaster-casts and the treatment they lead. The mean age at time of elongation was 4 years and 6 months (range 2 years 4 months to 8 years). The passive dorsiflexion of the foot before elongation was of 0 degree (range -20 degrees to +10 degrees) knee in extension, and of 5 degrees (range -15 degrees to +15 degrees) knee in flexion.

Results: The passive dorsiflexion of the foot after elongation was of 23 degrees (range +10 degrees to +30 degrees) knee in extension, and of 27 degrees (range +10 degrees to +35 degrees) knee in flexion. One major complication was noted: the persistence of a varus foot in child after elongation. 24 elongations were reviewed with a mean follow-up of 21 months (range 12 months to 30 months). The passive dorsiflexion of the foot was of 10 degrees (range 0 degree to +20 degrees) knee in extension and of 17 degrees (range -5 degrees to +25 degrees) knee in flexion.

Discussion: Compared to different procedures (surgical lengthening, botulinum-A toxin) elongation by successive plaster-casts is a quick, safe, complication-free, and simple technique, whose results are equivalent. Even if recurrence of equinus is probable, a surgical procedure of lengthening could be made on an operative-free tendon.

Conclusion: Elongation of the triceps surae muscle by successive plaster-casts constitutes a safe alternative technique compared to surgical procedure.