"The inhibiting casts" used in cerebral palsed children

Inhibiting casts, introduced to rehabilitation practice by NDT-Bobath therapists, are being used with increasing frequency in the physiotherapy of children with cerebral palsy (CP). In the literature these plaster casts are known as tone-reducing plasters, spasticity-reducing plasters, or short leg plaster casts. The casts are installed on the lower leg and foot in the form of plaster shoes to immobilize the foot and ankle joints in the proper position. This creates conditions for constant manipulation of the limb using key points located on the lower leg and foot. According to the NDT-Bobath concept, this enables positive changes in postural and locomotor patterns, as well as the distribution of postural tone. The construction and application of these inhibitive casts are not the same as in the standard plaster casts used to correct foot deformations. The casts are placed on both feet regardless of the type of paresis, for a period from one to three weeks, depending on the child's age. New casts can be applied repeatedly during the child's rehabilitation. Experience shows that inhibitive casts are a very important aid in the treatment of CP children. The decision to use plaster casting requires experience and detailed functional assessment for each individual child, in terms of muscle tone distribution, the necessary compensatory patterns, and disturbances in the coordination of motor patterns.