Role of Nerve Blocks in the Foot and Ankle in Cerebral Palsy: Therapeutic and Diagnostic

Dilute absolute alcohol (45%) injected into quadrants of the gastocnemius or gastrocsoleus in children with cerebral palsy of the spastic type who have an equinous gait but without contractures offers the clinician diagnostic information in determining therapeutic surgery or treatment. Similarly, Marcaine 0.25% (or similar anesthetic agents) injected into the nerve at the ankle or foot will assist in determining surgical procedures to correct foot deformities. The use of dilute alcohol or local anesthetic agents gives additional information to therapists treating these children.