Botox has Zac back on track

When Zac Quarrell was a toddler, mum Tanya could see his development was significantly different from his older siblings.

They began walking at 10 months – Zac did not take his first steps until he was 17 months.

After having speech difficulty and lack of co-ordination of the right side of his body, Zac was diagnosed as having mild cerebral palsy.

Muscle spasms in his right leg meant he was unable to straighten his foot, making walking difficult.

He began treatment with botulinum toxin, commonly known as botox.

Botulinum toxin has been used in Australia to treat children with cerebral palsy since 1994.

Barwon Health’s McKellar Centre became the first regional botulinum toxin clinic in Victoria.

When injected into the muscle, the botulinum toxin temporarily paralyses the nerves causing muscles to involuntarily contract and spasm.

For Zac, the injections – in conjunction with specialist treatments such as casting and physical therapy – meant his right side co-ordination improved significantly.

‘The first time he had the botox was amazing – immediately his foot was able to straighten,’ his mum said.

Zac and his family would previously have had to travel more than two hours to attend lead-up and follow-up appointments.

‘Being able to access the service in Geelong has been a great change.

‘It is less stressful on my other children for whom I had to arrange babysitters and pick-ups from school,’ Tanya said.

‘It creates less of a waiting game and Zac is able to attend school in the morning before he has a clinic appointment.’

Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by an injury to the brain before, during or after birth and is one of the most common physical disabilities in childhood.

Dr Therese Clark, the regional Victorian paediatric rehabilitation co-ordinator, said the clinic provided a streamlined approach for treatment of children with cerebral palsy.

‘Previously, patients would have to travel to Melbourne for treatment.

‘These appointments, with the many others – made it difficult for families to manage and co-ordinate.

‘The travel time and time away from other family/children was seen to be one of the main concerns.

‘Having the clinic established in Geelong means it is now easier for local families to have one central point of contact and access co‑ordinated care.

‘We use a model of care that reflects the right time and the right location so we can make sure we have a practical, co‑ordinated service for parents and children.

‘It’s also about getting the sequence of intervention right.’

Thanks to the results of botulinum toxin treatment and specialist therapy, Zac’s family’s proudest moment came late last year when Zac played in his first Milo cricket competition.

‘It was wonderful to see him out there – he was glowing,’ his mum said.

Botulinum toxin treatment has also shown to delay and in some cases prevent the need for surgical intervention in children with cerebral palsy.