Gait abnormalities and inhibitive casts in cerebral palsy. Literature review

Although cerebral palsy is primarily a central nervous system disorder, its major manifestations are musculoskeletal. The authors focus on normal tonic reflexes of the foot and the developmental consequences of failure to inhibit these reflexes. Various gait abnormalities seen in cerebral palsy are reviewed. Finally, the use of inhibitive casts as a conservative modality for treating hyperactive reflexes in the spastic cerebral palsy child is discussed. The reduction of abnormal tone facilitates the development of a normal gait pattern in these children.