Cerebral Palsy

The term cerebral palsy refers to any one of multiple different neurological disorders that can appear in infancy or early childhood that can permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination. Once cerebral palsy sets in, it doesn’t worsen over time like many other neurological disorders do. Cerebral palsy is a term that is used widely that is commonly referred to as “CP”, it is described as a loss or impairment of motor function that can affect the entire body. The actual cause of the disruption or loss of motor function is damage to the brain. The brain damage is caused by brain injury or abnormal development of the brain that occurs while a child’s brain is still developing before birth, during birth, or immediately after birth.1 Most of the children with cerebral palsy are born with it, in many cases it is not detected until months or years into the child’s life.

Signs & Symptoms

·         Lack of muscle coordination when attempting voluntary movements. (Ataxia)

·         Stiff or tight musculature and aggressive reflexes. (Spasticity)

·         Walking with partial usage of one foot/ dragging the leg.

·         Walking on the toes, crouched gait, or a “scissored” gait.

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The early signs of cerebral palsy are often detectable before the child is three years of age. In general, cerebral palsy causes impaired movement associated with abnormal reflexes, floppiness or rigidity of the limbs and trunk, abnormal posture, involuntary movements, unsteady walking, or some combination of these.2 Those affected by cerebral palsy can also have problems swallowing, and often have eye muscle imbalance. Eye muscle imbalance causes the eyes of the individual unable to focus on the same object. Due to the muscle stiffness that cerebral palsy causes range of motion for various joints is dramatically reduced as well.

Treatment

Cerebral palsy is an incurable disease as of right now, but treatment in the form of repetitive exercise and stretching can often improve the individual’s capabilities.

Treatment may include:

·         Physical and Occupational therapy.

·         Speech Therapy

·         Pharmaceuticals to control seizures, relax muscle spasms, and alleviate pain.

·         Surgery to correct anatomical abnormalities or release muscle tightness.

Cerebral palsy's effect on functional abilities varies greatly.2 In most cases cerebral palsy doesn’t always have profound disabilities, for instance: Once child with severe cerebral palsy may be unable to walk and need extensive, lifelong medical care. While another child with mild cerebral palsy may not require medical assistance, if any assistance at all. When undergoing treatment of an individual with cerebral palsy it is important to be mindful of their limitations. Formulating a rehabilitative regimen for that individual based off of their limitations is crucial. Cerebral palsy in unpredictable and each case is different. Therefore, each individual going through rehabilitation will have different strengths and weaknesses, it is important to rehabilitate around these strengths and weaknesses. After reading this blog I am positive that you are well educated over cerebral palsy, the signs and symptoms, and treating it. In my next blog I will be discussing what multiple sclerosis is, the signs & symptoms, and treatment of multiple sclerosis.

References

1Stern, K. A. (n.d.). Definition of Cerebral Palsy. Retrieved October 18, 2016, from http://www.cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebral-palsy/definition

2Mayo Clinic Staff Print. (2016, August 25). Cerebral palsy. Retrieved October 18, 2016, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cerebral-palsy/home/ovc-20236549

3Cerebral Palsy. (n.d.). Retrieved October 18, 2016, from https://kin450-neurophysiology.wikispaces.com/Cerebral Palsy