Cerebral Palsy Program

The term cerebral palsy reflects a wide range of different types of brain injury. As a result, cerebral palsy can look very different from child to child. In some children, only the legs are involved (diplegia); in others, only the left or right side of the body (hemiplegia). In others, the entire body is affected (quadriplegia). Muscle tone may be high (spastic), or it may be low, resulting in difficulty with balance (ataxia). Involuntary or dyskinetic muscle movements may be present. Sometimes a child's arms or legs may feel rigid. This is called dystonia.

• Developmental delay
• Seizure disorders
• Feeding and swallowing disorders
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Constipation
• Poor nutrition
• Aspiration
• Drooling
• Asthma
• Airway difficulties
• Difficulty with urination
• Visual impairment
• Hearing loss
• Communication impairment

Depending on a child's need and in consultation with the child's family and primary physician, referrals may be generated to any number of subspecialists. Additionally, families are provided access to a full range of support services, including social work, educational materials and community resources.

These secondary conditions can be prevented or treated by managing spasticity. The goal of treatment is to prevent bone and joint deformity by balancing muscles forces about the joint.

Treatment for managing spasticity or muscle contractures can be broken down into several stages.

• Physical and Occupational Therapy
  Physical therapy alone, or in combination with special braces (sometimes called orthotic devices), works to prevent this complication by stretching spastic muscles.

• Braces and Orthotic Devices
  Orthotics can help to control dynamic deformities by maintaining a stable joint position, or substitute for weak muscle groups.

• Surgical lengthening
  While not always necessary, surgery may be recommended when contractures are severe enough to cause problems with your child's movement, balance and coordination.

  Surgery can help to reduce spasticity in the legs by elongating or releasing the contracted muscles and tendons that are too short.