Private Botox and Serial Casting
Botox, or botulinum toxin, is an injectable medication that can relax tight muscles in children with cerebral palsy. It’s often used alongside serial casting, where a series of casts are fitted across several weeks or months. Together, the treatments can improve movement and flexibility and reduce discomfort.
What is Botox and serial casting?
Botox, which is also known as botulinum toxin or BTX, is an injectable treatment that can help children with cerebral palsy who experience muscle stiffness (spasticity). It temporarily relaxes tight muscles to reduce stiffness and discomfort.
It’s often followed by serial casting, which uses a series of casts fitted over several weeks or months to gently stretch the muscles. This can improve movement, walking, and flexibility, and can prevent permanent muscle tightening. It can also make physiotherapy and everyday activities easier.
At Welbeck, we offer this treatment to children aged 4 and above, and all treatment is highly personalised and tailored to your child’s needs by their dedicated paediatric orthopaedic surgeon. All consultations and treatments take place in our state-of-the-art Orthopaedics centre and Neurology centre. Appointments are available for patients aged 4+.
More information
Your child’s consultant will first carry out a detailed consultation to assess their movement, muscle tone, posture, and overall needs. They’ll use their findings and your child’s medical history to recommend the most appropriate treatment for them.
The approach, and therefore exactly what the treatment involves, varies from child to child. Your consultant will let you know what to expect, based on your child’s unique needs.
Your child may need to have an ultrasound scan as part of Botox treatment. This is so their consultant can accurately identify and target the correct muscles with the injection.
Typically, Botox treatment takes around 40 minutes for a double injection, and less for a single injection. Our consultants use a fine needle to reduce discomfort and the likelihood of bruising. They’ll also use local anaesthetic to numb the area, to make the procedure more comfortable.
Serial casting usually starts a few weeks after the Botox treatment, once the medication has started to loosen the muscles. Your consultant will then fit the first cast. Typically, your child will need to wear the cast for 1 to 2 weeks before returning to have it removed and replaced. Your consultant will keep a close eye on your child’s mobility and range of movement, and adapt their approach accordingly.
Risks of Botox and serial casting are generally low but may include temporary pain, bruising, swelling, or muscle weakness.
Rarely, the effects of the injection may spread to nearby muscles or cause an allergic reaction. Your consultant will tell you what to look out for and when to bring your child in for assessment and any additional treatment.
Your child won’t need to follow any specific preparation guidance for Botox and serial casting treatment.
It can be helpful for your child to wear shorts or trousers that can be rolled up to the appointment. You may also wish to bring toys or other distractions to help your child feel comfortable and calm.
Some children experience discomfort at the injection site for a short while after their treatment. This should resolve quickly on its own.
Your child should be able to resume their normal activities and go back to school the following day. They should, however, avoid strenuous activity or exercise for 24 to 48 hours after Botox treatment.
Botox treatment takes 2 to 4 weeks to reach its full effect, which is why you may be asked to return for serial casting a few weeks later.
Usually, your child should continue any physiotherapy alongside Botox and serial casting; however, your consultant will advise you on this.
Please contact our Paediatric Orthopaedics centre for pricing information.
At Welbeck, our paediatric orthopaedic surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
To book Botox and serial casting, you must be referred by either your GP or a consultant following an assessment with them.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our paediatric orthopaedic surgeons, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
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Frequently asked questions
Having the casts fitted and wearing them should not be painful for your child. However, they may find it uncomfortable. Your consultant will usually apply padding underneath the cast to reduce the likelihood of it rubbing against your child’s skin.
Your child should avoid getting their cast wet and try not to get anything inside it, such as sand or mud. If they have an itch behind the cast, they shouldn’t insert anything into the cast to try and scratch it.
Botox is injected directly into muscles that are affected by spasticity. It then begins to block the nerve signals that lead to muscle stiffness. The effects are temporary, meaning the treatment may need to be repeated.
At Welbeck, we offer this treatment to children aged 4 and above. Generally speaking, the treatment is most effective when children are younger.