Several Kinds Of Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Those families have kids with cerebral palsy; think that there is no treatment for it. The only thing those families can do is search out the most excellent treatment for their children. The kind of treatment that could be done for a child depends on what kind of cerebral palsy he or she has. The medical professionals will decide what kind of treatment required by analyzing the characteristics of the patient.

By determining the kind of treatments is provided to a patient is done all the way through observing the patient as well as giving him or her number of tests. In such procedure a team of experts like psychologists, pediatricians and therapists will decide the treatment after going through the patient's test results. The kinds of treatment are as follows.

Physical therapy assists stretch the muscles with the cerebral palsy. It can take in muscles exercise, muscles massaging and perhaps using heat. The function for doing this is to help with motor control. It is a number of cases not easy for patients to communicate. The treatments let the patient to exchange a few words with other by means of speech therapy.

Occupational therapy is to help patients for daily living. It comprises household responsibilities and work efforts. There are medications for such patients help to relax their muscles. Those are dealing with muscle seizures as well as medications like Botox will get help from these procedures. Hearing aids or eyeglasses is another option for such patients. This cerebral palsy treatment will lend a hand to get better the injuries of the child.

When therapies do not work the there is need of surgery. In such circumstances surgery could be an alternative choice for the patient. It can assist to reduce spasticity plus it improves muscle tone as well. The cerebral palsy patients more often than not will need a number of assistive technologies like wheelchairs to facilitate them with daily jobs which they could be able to do otherwise.

From time to time the ordinary treatments are just not adequate for a patient. If it is the situation then other treatments could be applied like hyperbaric oxygen therapy which is known as HBOT. As well, the purpose of clinical trials is applied for developing new treatments for cerebral palsy patients.

These are the several kinds of cerebral palsy treatment which could be done after verifying the exact cause. It means that all these healing procedure can not be applied at once or one by one. As previously said, the very first thing is to determine the specific cause for this problem then the medical professionals can conduct the precise treatment to the cerebral palsy patient.

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Causes, Signs, Symptoms and Treatment of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is an abnormality in moving and controlling movements; it is acquired at an early age and is caused by brain damage that makes it non-progressive. It is thought that about one in 500 children in the UK has some form of cerebral palsy.

The causes of cerebral palsy are many. It usually results from some damage to certain parts of the developing brain in infants. This damage to the brain generally occurs early in the pregnancy, when the brain is starting to form. However, it can also occur after birth or in the first few years of the life of a child. Various problems during birth, specifically inadequate oxygen, are root cause of cerebral palsy. So, it can occur before birth (prenatal), during birth or after birth (post natal).

Some of the cases of cerebral palsy are listed below;

? Infection, seizure disorder, thyroid disorder in the mother.

? Birth defects, especially those affecting the brain, spinal cord, head and lungs.

? Rh factor incompatibility, which is basically a difference in the blood between mother and the foetus that can cause brain damage in the foetus

? Certain hereditary and genetic conditions

? Premature birth

? Low birth weight (especially if less than 2 pounds at birth)

? Severe jaundice after birth

? Multiple births (twins, triplets)

There are innumerable symptoms of cerebral palsy, but unfortunately, the symptoms of this disease do not manifest in the early infancy. They begin to be obvious as the child matures. The problems and disabilities, associated with cerebral palsy, range from very mild to very severe. This range varies according to the brain damage. The symptoms may be very subtle and noticeable only to medical professionals. The symptoms include:

? Delay in controlling head, rolling over, sitting without support, crawling or walking.

? Limbs may be held in very unusual or awkward positions. For example, spastic leg muscles may cause legs to cross in a scissor-like position.

? The limb movement of the child may be abnormal, either unusually jerky or abrupt.

? Some of the children suffering from cerebral-palsy may be mentally retarded.

? About one third of the children with cerebral-palsy have seizures.

? The children might have speech problems and difficulty in speaking.

? A child with cerebral-palsy may not respond to sounds or have vision problems.

The vision problems include weakness of eye muscles. In addition to this, dental problems can also be associated with cerebral-palsy.

You need to monitor your child carefully to see if he shows any signs of cerebral-palsy, especially if he was born prematurely, had a low birth weight, or was subject to certain complications of pregnancy, labour or delivery. In case of a sign of any of the following, visit the health care provider of your child. The signs for which you need to be cautious are;

? Frequent seizures. The movements of child seem unusually jerky, abrupt and uncoordinated.

? Your child does not blink in response to loud noises by age 1 month, or turn his head towards the sound by 4 months

? Your child does not sit up unsupported by age 7 months.

? Your child does not say words by age 12 months.

? One eye of your child is turned inward or outward.

? There is some sort of abnormality in the walking style of your child.

Find more about Cerebral palsy here.

What is the Latest Advanced Treatment of Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy can be commonly termed as brain paralysis. It is a condition relating to disorders of body movement, balance and posture. The major causes of cerebral palsy include abnormal development or damage to one or more parts of the brain, which may result in disorders in body movement, balance and posture. Cerebral palsy is detected in the early phase of life as the development of the infant is slowed.

The problems caused by cerebral palsy include muscle stiffness, poor muscle tone, uncontrolled movements, and problems with posture, balance, coordination, walking, speech, swallowing, mental retardation, seizures, breathing, learning disabilities, bladder and bowel control problems, skeletal deformities, eating difficulties, dental problems, digestive problems, hearing and vision problems, and many other related problems.

Cerebral palsy can be further divided into spastic (pyramidal), dyskinetic (extrapyramidal) and mixed. Spastic (pyramidal) includes muscle stiffness and jerky and awkward movements. Dyskinetic (extrapyramidal) includes coordination of movements and can be further divided into 2 sub-categories: athetoid and ataxic. The mixed type may include a mix of any of the above mentioned types.

There are different types of treatments for cerebral-palsy, which are further discussed in this article. These are physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech-language pathology (S/L), physical, behavioural therapy, drug therapy, surgery and mechanical aids.

The physical therapy is aimed at helping the child develop strong muscles and help him in learning walk, sit and maintain his balance. The occupational therapy is aimed at developing fine motor skills of the child such as dressing, feeding, writing and other daily living tasks. The speech-language therapy is aimed at developing the communication skills of the child as he may have problems with his tongue muscles causing problems in speech.

Assistive technology, which includes communication devices and computer technology, is used in aid to these therapies. These technologies have communication boards, augmentative communication devices and electronic toys with special switches to sophisticated computer programs, which help the children in improving their performance.

Then, there are physical, behavioural and other therapies for the treatment of cerebral-palsy. All these technologies are used collaboratively to provide maximum support and care to the children with cerebral palsy, so that they can have better growth and development.

Drug therapy is often carried out to control the seizures and to reduce abnormal movements in the patients of cerebral-palsy. If the contractures are very severe, and they cause immense problems in movement, surgery is also done. The surgical procedures often involve the lengthening of the muscles or tendons, in case they are short than the normal. Chronic cerebellar stimulation and stereotaxic thalamotomy is included in experimental surgical techniques. These are used to stimulate certain cerebellar nerves.

These are some of the treatments that are carried out to help the people cerebral-palsy so that they can lead a better life and to reduce their dependency on other people. However, all these treatments are very time consuming, and they require a lot of patience from the patient as well as his family. These methods and techniques have so far been very successful to a great extent and for treating cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy - Find more about Cerebral palsy here.

Cerebral Palsy - Causes, Types and Treatment

"Cerebral" is medical terminology for the brain. "Palsy" means a disorder of movement or posture. So in simple terms, Cerebral Palsy (CP) describes a group of conditions where movement and posture are affected as a result of damage to one or more areas of the brain. Cerebral palsy is characterized by an inability to fully control motor function, particularly muscle control and coordination.

Depending on which areas of the brain have been damaged, one or more of the following may also be present although every person with CP is affected in a different way:

Balance and coordination problems
Difficulty controlling and maintaining posture (help required to sit upright)
Epilepsy - Up to one in three children with CP also have epilepsy.
Difficulty eating and drinking (swallowing) and talking
Learning difficulties

Cerebral Palsy is the most common childhood physical disability. Around one in every 400 children born in developed countries has CP. In the United States, it is estimated that some 764,000 children and adults exhibit one or more of the symptoms of Cerebral Palsy. Around 8,000 babies and infants are newly diagnosed with the condition each year. Despite medical advances, incidence has not declined over the last 60 years.

Often the exact cause of a child developing Cerebral Palsy is not known, but contributing factors can include infections such as meningitis, bleeding into the brain, pressure or blows to the head and lack of oxygen. These may have occurred before, during or after birth and the severity of the cause will affect the severity of the damage caused to the brain. For example, each minute that a baby is deprived of oxygen during a difficult delivery will increase the extent of brain damage caused.

Cerebral Palsy is classified into three main types; Spastic, Athetoid and Ataxic. Those with Spastic CP have muscles that are weak, tight or stiff making it difficult for the person to make controlled movements. Those with stiff or tight muscles will find it difficult to fully extend arms and legs, while those with weak muscles may be unable to stand unaided. Spastic Cerebral Palsy is the most common type of cerebral palsy, accounting for nearly 80 percent of all cerebral palsy cases.

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the cerebellum or basal ganglia. These two areas of the brain work in opposition to create smooth, coordinated movements as well as maintaining body posture. Damage to one or both of these areas creates an imbalance that may cause a child to develop involuntary, uncoordinated movements, especially in the face, arms, and trunk. Secondary problems with eating, speaking, picking up objects may also result from the imbalance. Approximately 10% of those with Cerebral Palsy are Athetoid.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy is characterised by low muscle tone and poor coordination of movements. Ataxic children look very unsteady and shaky and have a disturbed sense of balance and depth perception. This is particularly apparent when walking which is unsteady and can resemble an intoxicated adult. Ataxic children can also suffer from shaky hands which make it difficult to hold a pencil and write.

Although Cerebral Palsy is not progressive (the brain damage does not get worse) and there is no cure (brain damage can not be repaired), tight, stiff or weak muscles will become increasingly so as the child gets older without therapy or treatment and in severe cases surgery. As a result, the child will inevitably become more dependant on their parent or carer and less able to lead any sort of independent life. Appropriate and regular therapy provided from an early age can significantly improve mobility and coordination abilities, independence and quality of life.

Sally Aspinall is founder and director of the Cerebral Palsy Physiotherapy Centre, the only centre of its kind in the UK providing therapy and treatment to cerebral palsy and brain injured children and adults from around the world. Sally can be contacted via the CPPC website or email sallyaspinall@cppcltd.co.uk

Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Families that have children with cerebral palsy know that there is no cure for it.  The only thing that families can do is get the best treatment for their child.  What type of treatments considered for a child depends on what type of cerebral palsy they have.  The medical staff will determine what type they have by the characteristics the patient has.Determining which type of treatments is given to a patient is done through observing the patient and giving them some tests.  In this process a team of professionals such as therapists, psychologists and pediatricians will determine, based on the results of the patient, which treatments suit them. 

Types of treatments:

Physical therapy - This method of therapy helps stretch the muscles of a patient with cerebral palsy.  This can include exercising the muscles, massaging the muscles and possibly using heat.  The purpose of this is to help with motor control. 

Speech therapy - It is sometimes difficult for patients with cerebral palsy to communicate.  With speech therapy, the treatments allow them to communicate with other means. 

Occupational therapy - This treatment is to assist patients with this in their everyday living.  This includes household duties and work duties. 

Medication - There are medications for cerebral palsy patients that will help relax their muscles.  Patients deal with muscle spasms and medications such as Botox will help those problems.

Surgery - There are times when therapies just don't help.  In these situations surgery may be an option for the patient.  Surgeries can help decrease spasticity and improve muscle tone. 

Hearing aids, eyeglasses - It is common of cerebral palsy patients to have hearing or vision problems.  These treatments will help improve the impairments of the child.

Assistive technologies - Cerebral palsy patients usually will require some type of assistive technologies such as wheelchairs to help them with everyday jobs that they may not otherwise be able to do so.

Other Cerebral Palsy treatments - Sometimes the common treatments are just not enough for a patient with it.  If this is the case, other treatments may be applied such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

Clinical trials - The purpose of these trials are to try to develop new treatments for cerebral palsy patients. 

The Cost of Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Cerebral palsy affects many children and there is no cure for it, there are only treatments to help a patient cope with their disability.  Children go through different therapies that suit their needs but the financial costs are overwhelming usually exceeding $500,000.  Insurance doesn't always cover all of the costs, and the families can get stressed with all the costs.  Even those who do not have insurance, the financial load are overwhelming.

There are cases where medical malpractice may have contributed to a child's condition.  Families in this situation often can receive compensation to help cover treatment costs and other expenses. If your child's cerebral palsy could have been prevented be sure to contact a cerebral palsy lawyer to discuss your options.

David Austin is an Attorney focused on complex injury cases. You can learn more about Cerebral Palsy Treatment at his website, Burke-Eisner.com

Hyperbaric Oxygenation for Cerebral Palsy and the Brain Injured Child: A Promising Treatment

This book is a complete guide for caregivers of children with cerebral palsy or traumatic brain injuries who are considering using hyperbaric oxygenation therapy. Written in a semi-scientific manner, the information should also be of value to physicians, researchers, and insurance providers seeking accurate and proven insight about the value of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy for children.

Price: $29.00

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The Identification and Treatment of Gait Problems in Cerebral Palsy (Clinics in Developmental Medicine)

The only book to deal specifically with the treatment of gait problems in cerebral palsy, this comprehensive, multi-disciplinary volume will be invaluable for all those working in the field of cerebral palsy and gait (neurologists, therapists, physiatrists, orthopaedic and neurosurgeons, and bioengineers). The book is divided into two parts. The first is designed to help the reader evaluate and understand a child with cerebral palsy. It deals with neurological control, musculoskeletal growth, and normal gait, as well as cerebral injury, growth deformities and gait pathology in children with cerebral palsy. The second section is a comprehensive overview of management. It emphasizes the most fundamental concept of treatment: manage the child's neurologic dysfunction first and then address the skeletal and muscular consequences of that dysfunction.

The book has been thoroughly updated since the previous edition, with a greater focus on treatment and several entirely new topics covered, including chapters on the operative treatment of orthopaedic deformities.

The book is accompanied by a DVD containing a teaching video on normal gait and a CD-ROM containing the videos and motion analysis data of all case examples used in the book, as well as teaching videos demonstrating the specifics of many of the procedures used in the correction of gait deformities and gait modelling examples from the Department of Bioengineering at Stanford University.

Price: $199.00

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Children With Cerebral Palsy - What Treatment is Available?

The type of treatment available for children diagnosed with cerebral palsy varies depending upon the type and severity of the condition with which they have been diagnosed. There are four main types:

1. Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, which affects coordination of movement. It usually affects all four limbs and the trunk. In addition, ataxic cerebral palsy is characterized by poor or low muscle tone.

2. Spastic Cerebral Palsy, which affects the muscles in that they become active together and block effective movement. This causes the muscles in spastic cerebral palsy children to be constantly tense.

3. Athetoid Cerebral Palsy which is marked by slow, involuntary muscle movement The slow movements associated with athetoid cerebral palsy usually affect the hands, feet, arms, or legs.

4. Mixed Cerebral Palsy which usually has both the tight muscle tone of spastic cerebral palsy and the involuntary movements of athetoid cerebral palsy.

Each type of the disorder elicits different symptoms. One of the most common symptoms of those with spastic cerebral palsy is stiffening and contracting of the muscles, which can lead to weakness of the limbs and sometimes even paralysis. It is important to try and alleviate these symptoms as much as possible to prevent further deterioration. Other common symptoms with all types of cerebral palsy include difficulty with movement, learning difficulties, and seizures, together with hearing and sight problems.

Some children born with CP will require 24 hour care for their lifetime while others will have only mild symptoms and may not require any specialist care at all. Each child diagnosed with CP will need to be individually assessed.

Many of those born with cerebral palsy will require some degree of care and support throughout their lifetime.

It will usually be necessary to involve a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to discuss an individuals needs and requirements. A structured plan can then be put into place to ensure that the child receives the appropriate care and treatment for their individual needs. While the medical care and treatment is obviously of paramount importance so as to ensure that the child can thrive and develop according to their own abilities; it is also vitally important that family members are also involved in the decision making process.

More often than not it will be the child's parents who will be the primary carers and providers of treatment therefore their input is essential.

No two children are the same therefore individual treatment programs will vary. However, there are certain types of therapy and treatment that will usually be required Most children with CP will experience movement and control of movement problems. A physical exercise program is therefore likely to be one of the main components of any treatment plan.

Specialists likely to be involved in the treatment program will include:

- Physical Therapists: to construct a special exercise program tailored to the individual child to help improve limb movement and to strengthen the muscles.

- Orthopedics: to assist with muscle, tendon and bone related issues.

- Speech and Language Therapist: to assist in developing the child's communication skills.

- Occupational Therapist: to assist in teaching the child life skills at different stages in their life and development.

- Social Worker: to ensure that the family receives any additional support and assistance they require from the wider community.

- Psychologist: to assist with any psychological issues not only in relation to the child but also to help the family as a whole to cope with the additional demands and pressure of caring for a child with cerebral palsy.

The child's needs and requirements will change as he grows and develops and at different stages it may be necessary to receive more assistance from certain areas of therapy than others.

In the early years it is likely that the child will need to see his physical therapists frequently, perhaps as often as twice a week. In addition to carrying out exercises with the therapists it will also be necessary to continue with the child's exercise programme at home. The therapists will construct an exercise program, which can be carried out at home and will show you how to perform the required exercises. Most children commence this treatment during the second half of their first year of life but the age of the child when they start treatment can vary depending upon how quickly their needs and requirements can be properly assessed.

Children who receive a well-structured program of therapy will develop better postures and stronger muscles. They are also likely to have fewer movement limitations. As well as the physical benefits of therapy there are immeasurable psychological benefits. It is generally agreed that therapy programs enhance the lives of children with cerebral palsy.

If you believe that your child has CP and that it may be as a result of a medical error or negligence it may be possible to claim compensation. Compensation will not resolve the medical issues but it may ease the financial burden by providing the money to pay for necessary therapy, equipment and specialist medical treatment.

http://www.headinjuryuk.com are expert head injury solicitors who investigate claims for compensation arising from traumatic brain injuries, and arrange specialist medical treatment and rehabilitation. Contact us to speak to a solicitor for a free, confidential inquiry on 0800 073 0988.

Attorneys and Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Cerebral palsy attorneys are an important part of the process of dealing with this difficult disease and some of the medical problems associated come with it. Medical science continues to advance and introduce new treatments to fight cerebral palsy. Attorneys, however, are a necessary part of the picture because they hold medical professionals responsible when their actions cause great suffering and possible long-term consequences for cerebral palsy victims. A good cerebral palsy attorney can help ensure patients receive the best possible medical treatment and care.

Treatments and the Role of the Cerebral Palsy Attorney.

Because cerebral palsy has no cure yet, most treatment plans are individually designed to ameliorate symptoms, especially neurological ones. A good cerebral palsy attorney can act like a safety check for a patient's medical care, making sure they receive the treatments they deserve. These cerebral palsy treatments include:

* Therapy aimed at increasing patient self-sufficiency

* Pharmaceuticals to abate spasms and seizures

* Physical therapy to increase coordination and muscular control

* Speech therapy

* Self-confidence counseling to assist in creating emotional balance

* Braces or other prosthetics to assist movement

* Botox treatment for muscle spasms

* The Baclofen pump to dose patients internally with regular doses of an anti-spasm drug

* Dorsal rhizotomy surgery for leg stiffness and spasms

Obviously, some of these treatments are more invasive and more risky than others. A good cerebral palsy attorney can quickly analyze treatments and outcomes and help you determine if a medical complication is the result of an operating room mishap or ill-advised procedure. Cerebral palsy attorneys are knowledge sources, and if there is any ambiguity about a questionable medical treatment, they can call upon top-notch medical experts and doctors to research the best cerebral palsy treatments for your child.

Risky Cerebral Palsy Treatments

Three of the more controversial cerebral palsy treatments include Botox, the Baclofen pump and dorsal rhizotomy.

Botox, a product made from the Botulism toxin, is a strong poison, but in small doses it can be injected into muscles to stop or reduce muscle spasms for many weeks. This creates emotional and physical relief for the patient and allows them to pursue beneficial therapies that would otherwise be impossible. Of course, in large doses it can paralyze or even kill.

The Baclofen pump is a surgically-implanted device that, when installed in the abdominal body cavity, regularly doses the patient's spinal cord with an anti-spasmatic drug. However, it is a dangerous surgical procedure that can result in infection, and if the product is dysfunctional, it can overdose the patient.

Dorsal rhizotomy is the removal of several back vertebrae (spinal segments) and the severing of some of the nerves that cause spastic leg movements. This operation, though drastic, can have permanent benefits, including better movement, breathing, sitting, flexibility and motor control. Of course, it also can result in back problems and, at worst, complete paralysis.

Why You May Need a Cerebral Palsy Attorney

No one likes to see a child enter the world burdened with the need for painful and difficult cerebral palsy treatments, but such things happen every day. When this burden is caused by an avoidable birth injury related to the medical treatment of the mother and her baby, it's especially sad.

Sometimes these medical accidents are the result of carelessness, a lack of consideration for patients, overly aggressive medical advice, badly-maintained equipment, physician malpractice or interest between profit and patient well-being. If you suspect your child's cerebral palsy was caused by an avoidable birth injury, you should immediately contact a Cerebral Palsy Attorney

Find a Cerebral Palsy Attorney to help get treatment for your loved one by visiting the Cerebral Palsy Information website.

Treatment And Therapy For Your Child's Cerebral Palsy

here is no standard treatment or therapy for cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy affects each person differently so treatment must be individually tailored as well. Since there is no cure for cerebral palsy, most doctors focus on finding treatment and therapy geared toward managing or diminishing the neurological problems associated with cerebral palsy.

Therapy and treatments for the symptoms of cerebral palsy are numerous. Most experts agree a combination of treatments, given in conjunction, produce the best results. A cerebral palsy victim's health care team work together to prescribe a balanced regimen of treatments designed to increase quality of life. An individualized therapy and treatment regimen for cerebral palsy may include:

* Drugs to control muscle spasms and seizure

* Occupational therapy and treatments designed to increase self-sufficiency in cerebral palsy patients.

* Physical therapy to help manage muscle control issues

* Emotional counseling to assist in creating and maintaining a positive self image and attitude

* Treatments in speech and speech therapy to help increase or hone communication skills in cerebral palsy patients.

* Braces or other assistive technology designed to assist movement

* Surgery to reduce spastic contracture of muscles

The Most Successful Treatments and Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Improvements in the treatment of cerebral palsy are advancing as science progresses. Three treatments and therapy procedures have recently become known as successful in treating cerebral palsy: Botox injections, the Baclofen pump and a surgery called selective dorsal rhizotomy or SDR. Each treatment has its own risks and benefits.

Botox Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

Botox is the brand name for a commercialized version of the Botulism toxin. Doctors use Botox to reduce muscle tightness, increase the ability of a muscle to stretch and to decrease likeliness of permanent muscle contracture. The toxin works by blocking nerve signals passing between the muscle and the spinal column.

Botulinum toxin is one of the most deadly substances known to man. When used in extremely small does it is relatively harmless, unless a person is allergic to the toxin. Poisoning only occurs from the consumption of excessive amounts of Botox.

The benefits seem to far outweigh the risks. Doctors inject Botox into 3 or 4 small muscle groups particularly affected by cerebral palsy. Injections provide measured relief from spastic muscles for around 3 months. Many cerebral palsy patients use the period of relief to work on muscles stretches and range of motion exercises. Botox is expensive and the effect of the treatment is temporary.

Treatment of Cerebral Palsy with the Baclofen Pump

The Baclofen pump is a surgically implanted pump filled with a drug used to reduce muscle spasticity. It is implanted in the lower abdomen and delivers the drug directly to the spinal cord by catheter. Baclofen treatment is known to be extremely effective for some people. Risks include infection from surgery, seizures from overdose and depressed breathing. Statistics indicate the pump is safe and rarely results in any serious complications.

Baclofen has been used orally to reduce muscle spasms for a long time. Doctors discovered the benefits of the drug were increased when applied directly to the nerves causing cerebral palsy symptoms. The pump also produces fewer side effects than when baclofen is taken orally. The benefits of reduced muscle tension increase the quality of life for many people with cerebral palsy.

Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy as a Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

Selective dorsal rhizotomy works best for cerebral palsy patients with spastic diplegia. Selective dorsal rhizotomy is a surgery that reduces muscle stiffness and spasticity in the legs. Several vertebras are removed from the back so a surgeon can reach the spinal cord. Nerves affecting muscles with symptoms of cerebral palsy are cut to reduce spasticity.

Benefits vary from patient to patient and are most prevalent for children under the age of 4. Selective dorsal rhizotomy is different from other cerebral palsy treatment because the benefits are usually lifelong, rather than temporary. Gains in movement result allow increased abilities in walking, breathing, sitting up, bending at the waist, hand use and head control.

Risks center on the surgery itself, not later side effects. Removal of vertebrae can result in back pain and problems. Surgeons always risks cutting too many nerve fibers. If the incorrect fibers are severed the result can be total paralysis.

Jeff Rasansky is cerebral palsy attorney who practices in Dallas, TX. He has won multi-million dollar settlements for his cerebral palsy clients.

Click here to visit his website cerebral-palsy-information.com.