Serial casting is a process in which a joint or joints that are limited in range of motion are immobilized with a well-padded plaster and fiberglass cast.
The casts are applied and removed on a weekly basis (The actual casting process can take anywhere from 6 to 16 weeks). During the process, the affected joint or joints are gradually set in a more correct alignment until the desired joint range of motion is achieved.
During the casting process the child and family are treated by the physical therapist for alignment, gait and correction of center of mass. At the completion of serial casting orthotic intervention is initiated with solid ankle AFOs for daytime use and solid night AFOs in dorsiflexion. (AFOs are ankle-foot orthoses that brace the lower limb — the lower leg, ankle, and foot — and maintain the alignment that was gained during the serial casting process.) The serial casting program continues after the actual casting process with physical therapy and orthotic intervention until the child is done growing.
