casting/weak muscles

[Guest guest]

I was thinking about the recent discussion about whether repeated casting

for long periods would cause muscle weakness. I know when I've had casts for

six weeks, my muscle completely atrophied. When my leg was immobilized for 4

months due to knee surgery 18 years ago in its' infancy, I lost several

inches of muscle on my leg. Luckily, it was my dominant leg and I did

extensive physical therapy with sports therapists, but even still my right

thigh and calf are smaller than my left.

One story came to mind of Kristy Yamaguchi, the skater, who was born with

clubfoot and was casted for two years (Kite method I believe?). She has size

2 shoes. I think the key is to intentionally make sure your child has lots

of physical therapy and opportunities to develop/strengthen the muscles once

the casting is over and the feet are corrected...

My daughter just started Occupational Therapy due to a combination of

Sensory Integration Dysfunction and lack of balance. (As a special ed

teacher I had been concerned about sensory issues, but thought it was just

my training that was making me think there was a problem. I didn't think her

clumsiness was much cause for concern, however.)

The other day when I was talking with her OT about the balance issue being

due to the muscle weakness of her clubfoot leg she agreed. When my daughter

runs, her clubfoot goes out to the side. Dr. Herzenberg said that was due to

muscle weakness, not overcorrection as I had assumed. It doesn't interfere

with her running, in fact she's extremely fast comared to her peers (which

is another thing parents have reported with clubfoot and pigeontoed

children). The OT said that if it were just a balance issue or a Sensory

issue, she probably would't need OT, but the combination makes it necessary.

Just my 2 cents, Joanne W.