Understanding Serial Casting

What is Serial Casting?
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Serial casting is a widely recognised therapeutic technique used by paediatric therapists at South West Kids Clinic to address various musculoskeletal conditions in children. It involves applying a series of lightweight casts over time to enhance muscle length, reduce spasticity, and optimise overall movement capabilities.

Serial casting works by utilising the principles of gentle, sustained stretching and immobilisation to lengthen muscles and gradually increase joint range of motion. The process begins with applying a custom-fitted cast strategically positioned to maintain the desired joint position while gently stretching the surrounding tissues.

During subsequent casting sessions, adjustments are made to gradually increase the stretch, allowing for progressive improvement in mobility and function. The casts are typically worn for a specified period before being replaced with a new cast to continue stretching. Our experienced therapists closely monitor and adjust each child throughout the treatment to ensure optimal outcomes.

What Conditions Does Serial Casting Support

Is Serial Casting the proper treatment for your child
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Serial casting benefits various conditions and can significantly improve muscle flexibility, joint range of motion, and tolerance to stretching exercises. Some of the conditions commonly treated with serial casting include:

How is Serial Casting Used in a Session?

Understanding our serial casting process
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Consultation and Goal Setting

Meet with an experienced physiotherapist or occupational therapist who will work with you to establish a sensible treatment goal. Together, you will create a customised casting plan tailored to your needs.

Application of the Initial Cast

The affected leg or arm is carefully positioned in a stretched pose. Casting material is then applied to immobilise the joint in this position. The initial cast is worn for 3-5 days.

Cast Replacement

After the initial period, the first cast is removed. A new cast is applied, positioning the joint into a deeper stretch. This process may be repeated, involving up to 4 casts, to gradually increase the joint’s range of movement.

Cast Removal

A particular saw removes each cast, which might initially be intimidating for some children. Therapists will demonstrate the removal process and use distraction techniques to ease fears.

Activity While Casted

While the cast is on, children are encouraged to walk and use their upper limbs as much as possible. This helps maximise the treatment’s results and minimise muscle weakness.

Monitoring and Adjustments

In some cases, the therapist may recommend temporarily removing the cast to ensure that it does not cause excessive weakness or other complications.

Benefits of Serial Casting

Why you should consider serial casting therapy for your child

Serial casting offers several critical benefits for children with musculoskeletal conditions:

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Improved joint mobility

Serial casting helps improve joint range of motion by gradually stretching tight muscles and tissues, allowing greater flexibility and movement.

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Reduced contractures

Serial casting can effectively reduce contractures by lengthening muscles and soft tissues, preventing or minimising the development of permanent stiffness.

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Enhanced functional abilities

Increased joint mobility and flexibility gained through serial casting can improve functional skills, such as walking, reaching, and participating in daily activities.

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Non-invasive approach

Serial casting offers a non-invasive alternative to surgical interventions for addressing musculoskeletal issues, minimising the need for more invasive procedures.

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Customised treatment

Our therapists customise the serial casting protocol to each child’s unique needs, ensuring targeted and effective treatment outcomes.

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Progressive improvement

Through cast applications and adjustments, serial casting allows for progressive muscle length and joint mobility improvement, promoting long-term functional gains.

Frequently asked questions
What is serial casting?

Serial casting is a noninvasive orthopaedic treatment technique used to gradually stretch tight muscles and improve joint mobility in children with musculoskeletal conditions. It involves applying a series of lightweight casts over time to elongate muscles and soft tissues gently.

Serial casting works by applying a low-load, prolonged stretch to tight muscles and tissues, gradually increasing their length over time. Each cast is carefully applied to maintain the desired position and provide consistent stretching, allowing for progressive improvement in joint mobility.

Serial casting is commonly used to treat conditions such as cerebral palsy, clubfoot, contractures, joint stiffness, muscular dystrophy, neuromuscular disorders, and spasticity-related conditions that result in limited joint mobility and muscle tightness.

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Our Therapies

Paediatric Occupational Therapy Sydney

Paediatric Occupational Therapy Sydney

At South West Kids Clinic, our Occupational Therapists dedicate themselves to enhancing your child’s independence in daily activities by using the most up to date treatment techniques and therapy tools. Whether mastering their motor skills, improving their participation in play, adapting tasks for easier completion, or recommending the right equipment and assistive tools, our team ensures your child can participate more fully in everyday life with greater autonomy.

Paediatric Speech Pathologist Sydney

Paediatric Speech Pathologist Sydney

Our Speech Pathologists are here to unlock your child’s potential in everyday communication, eating, and drinking. We aim to empower your child to communicate effectively and confidently, helping them express their thoughts and feelings easily. We strive to create safe and joyful mealtimes by supporting your child’s independence and ability to eat and drink safely and effectively.

Paediatric Physiotherapy Sydney

Paediatric Physiotherapy Sydney

Movement is at the heart of what it means to be active and engaged. Our Physiotherapists are committed to improving your child’s physical capabilities through innovative techniques and the latest therapeutic equipment. We focus on enhancing mobility, strength, and coordination, which are crucial for participating more actively in physical activities and improving overall quality of life.

Paediatric Dietitian Sydney

Paediatric Dietitian Sydney

Proper nutrition is foundational for children, especially those facing physical challenges. Our Dietitians provide customised nutritional plans that cater to the unique needs of children with disabilities. We ensure each child receives the nutritional support needed for optimal growth, development, and learning.

Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to start therapy?
The best time to start therapy is when you notice any developmental delays or concerns in your child. Early intervention is crucial as it can significantly improve the effectiveness of the treatment, helping your child achieve the best possible outcomes.

The frequency of therapy sessions typically depends on your child’s specific needs and goals during the initial assessment. Most children benefit from weekly sessions, but we may suggest more or fewer visits based on your child’s progress.

Put simply, the greater your involvement is in therapy, the quicker your child will gain results. For this reason, we only work with families actively involved in their child’s therapy. This includes collaborating to establish goals, participating in therapy sessions, completing practice between sessions and providing feedback to your therapist about progress between sessions.
Our team conducts comprehensive assessments to understand each child’s strengths and challenges. Based on these assessments, we develop individualised therapy plans that are continually adapted to reflect progress and changing needs.
You can contact our clinic directly or via email to discuss your child’s needs. Our reception team will ask quick questions about your child to determine the next steps required.
Therapy sessions are primarily completed in our clinic; however, we occasionally recommend contacting the school or child care to observe your child and consult with the teachers regarding valuable strategies to promote success in the classroom or playground. Occasionally, ongoing sessions are suggested; however, this is based on clinical need rather than convenience.
Areas We Service
LiverpoolNSW
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South West Kids Clinic offers personalised support and guidance to children with movement-based conditions in Liverpool. Our experienced and caring team is committed to positively impacting your child’s life.

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
BankstownNSW
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South West Kids Clinic delivers customised therapy and treatments to children with movement-based conditions. Our services are readily available and personalised to meet the needs of families in the Bankstown area, ensuring that every child receives the care they require.

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
CampbelltownNSW
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At South West Kids Clinic, we provide personalised therapy and treatments to children who have conditions affecting their movement. Our services are designed to cater to the specific needs of families in the Campbelltown area, guaranteeing that each child gets the attention and care they need.

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
FairfieldNSW
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At South West Kids Clinic, our approach is to offer customised therapy and treatments for children with movement disorders. We ensure our services are accessible and tailored specifically for families living in the Fairfield area, ensuring every child receives the necessary care.

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
PrestonsNSW
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At South West Kids Clinic, we deliver individualised therapy and treatments for children with movement challenges. Our services are adapted to fit the unique requirements of families in the Preston area, ensuring all children receive the dedicated care they need.

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
WollondillyNSW
Learn More
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