Efficacy of soft splints in reducing severe knee-flexion contractures.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of soft splints made from polyurethane foam in reducing severe knee-flexion contractures of patients with cerebral palsy. The splints were applied nightly over a period of 10 months. Knee-flexion contractures were reduced by an average of 24 degrees in all patients. Younger patients generally presented with less severe initial contractures and had the greatest percentage of improvement. When used on a single limb when bilateral contractures were present, sympathetic reduction of the contracture occurred to varying degrees in the unsplinted limb. It is recommended that the splints be replaced regularly to maximize their effectiveness. The benefit-to-cost ratio is extremely high and their low cost makes soft splints feasible for use in developing countries and by low-income families.