The Effectiveness of Casts, Orthoses, and Splints for Children with Neurological Disorders

Casts, orthoses, and splints are often used for children with neurological conditions to improve limb positioning and increase functional movement. This article reports the results of a critical review of the literature examining the effectiveness of casts, orthoses, and splints for the upper and lower extremity when used for children with cerebral palsy or brain injury. Results indicate that for children with cerebral palsy, hands splints improve grasp, and upper extremity casts lead to increased range of motion and decreased muscle tone. The effects on upper extremity function need to be studied further. For lower extremity casts, orthoses, and splints, there is evidence to support their effectiveness for children with cerebral palsy in improving range of motion at the ankle, leading to changes in the quality of walking. For children with traumatic brain injury, there is less information on the effects of casts, orthoses, and splints for both the upper and lower extremity. Further research in this area is needed.