Upper Limb Casting Application Post-Botulinum Toxin Injection for Elbow Spasticity: A Guided Casting Protocol.

ABSTRACT: Casting is an effective adjunctive treatment which increases the effects of botulinum toxin on patients with spasticity. The evidence for casting as an adjunctive therapy post-botulinum toxin has been well documented in the literature. However, standardized casting protocols are lacking, with no published descriptions of upper limb casting application post-botulinum toxin injection for spasticity. In this paper we will describe our experience regarding the application of upper limb casting as an adjunctive therapy for elbow spasticity, detailing indications, contraindications and description of our protocol (materials required and technique).

Effect of treating elbow flexor spasticity with botulinum toxin injection and adjunctive casting on hemiparetic gait parameters: A prospective case series.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in hemiparetic gait parameters after treatment of elbow flexor spasticity with botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection and adjunctive casting. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SUBJECTS: Ten participants with spasticity secondary to acquired brain injury (8 stroke, 2 traumatic brain injury). INTERVENTIONS: Participants received BoNT injections for their spastic elbow flexors under ultrasound guid-ance. Two weeks post-injection, an elbow stretching cast was applied for 1 week. OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessments using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Tardieu scale V1 angle of arrest at slow speed and V3 angle of catch at fast speed, 2-min walk test (2MWT), Edinburgh Gait Score scale (EGS) and video gait analysis for step-length symmetry were conducted pre-BoNT injection (t0) and at cast removal (t1). Goal attainment scale (GAS) was used to assess changes in spasticity and gait 3 months post-injection (t2). RESULTS: At t1, participants showed a mean increase of 16.7° (p < 0.01) on the Tardieu Scale V3 and a mean reduction of 0.5 points on the MAS (p < 0.05). There was also a mean reduction on EGS of 2.7 points (p < 0.05), and a mean increase on 2MWT of 3.1 m (p < 0.05). On the GAS, all participants report-ed impro-ved gait at t2 and 80% reported a decrease in spasticity. CONCLUSION: Combining BoNT injection with casting for treatment of elbow flexor spasticity without treat-ing the lower limb may improve hemiparetic gait parameters.

Does casting after botulinum toxin injection improve outcomes in adults with limb spasticity? A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine current evidence for casting as an adjunct therapy following botulinum toxin injection for adult limb spasticity. DESIGN: The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for English language studies from 1990 to August 2018. Full-text studies using a casting protocol following botulinum toxin injection for adult participants for limb spasticity were included. Studies were graded according to Sackett's levels of evidence, and outcome measures were categorized using domains of the International Classification of Disability, Functioning and Health. The review was prepared and reported according to PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: Five studies, involving a total of 98 participants, met the inclusion criteria (2 randomized controlled trials, 1 pre-post study, 1 case series and 1 case report). Casting protocols varied widely between studies; all were on casting of the lower limbs. There is level 1b evidence that casting following botulinum toxin injection improves spasticity outcomes compared with stretching and taping, and that casting after either botulinum toxin or saline injections is better than physical therapy alone. CONCLUSION: The evidence suggests that adjunct casting of the lower limbs may improve outcomes following botulinum toxin injection. Casting protocols vary widely in the literature and priority needs to be given to future studies that determine which protocol yields the best results.