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Therapy and the Treatment of Cerebral Palsy

Treatment

There 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.

The treatment of cerebral palsy consists of numerous therapy and medical options. Most experts agree a combination of treatments, given in conjunction, produce the best results. A person's healthcare 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 of 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.

How Can a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Help Me?

Cerebral palsy can put incredible strain on a family. Sometimes, however, you shouldn't have to struggle with cerebral palsy on your own. A cerebral palsy lawyer can help you identify legal issues with your medical problems in a free, no-obligation consultation or phone call. If a doctor or hospital is at fault for the harm done to your family, you deserve to be compensated. The assistance of a qualified cerebral palsy lawyer can defend your rights and help your family through this difficult time - as you and your loved one pursue the treatment of cerebral palsy.

Blog for Treatment

DFW Cerebral Palsy Lawyer | Better Technology Leads to a Better Future
Description: Cerebral palsy lawyer writes that, despite irrevocable birth injuries, people with Cerebral Palsy can improve their treatment with new/developing technologies.
Texas Cerebral Palsy Lawyer | Language and People with Cerebral Palsy
Description: Texas Cerebral Palsy lawyer offers some strategies to use while talking to people who have trouble communicating because they have CP including close listening.
Dallas Cerebral Palsy Lawyer | Some Common Issues that People with CP Will Face
Description: Cerebral Palsy lawyer in Dallas describes some of the challenges people with CP face including issues of mobility, communication and confidence.
Texas CP Lawyer | Cerebral Palsy Assistive Devices
Description: Lawyer offers advice about wheelchairs and hearing aids as tools to help those with CP. Costs are extensive; if CP is the result of a birth injury contact us.
Texas Cerebral Palsy Attorney| Cerebral Palsy Treatment Options for the Future
Description: CP Attorney explores the potential benefits of new technology like electronic tablets, electric devices and treatments that could lead to future improvements.
DFW CP Lawyer | Scientists Protect Against CP-Like Brain Damage in Mice
Description: Texas CP lawyer shares new information about scientific research on a protein that could prevent permanent brain damage in CP or birth injury situations.
Dallas Cerebral Palsy Lawyer | Australian Researchers Have New Take on Muscle Tissue
Description: Dallas Cerebral Palsy Lawyer shares information about new research by Australian scientists that could evolve into new and improved CP muscle treatment.
Texas CP Attorney | Cerebral Palsy and School
Description: Texas CP lawyer writes about how children with CP's mobility, hearing and speech potential difficulties could add obstacles to their school life.
Texas Cerebral Palsy Attorney | New Device Helps Children with CP Crawl
Description: Texas Cerebral Palsy lawyer shares information about a new device that will help infants with Cerebral Palsy to crawl on their own towards a better future.
Texas Birth Injury Lawyer | School Children With Cerebral Palsy
Description: Texas Birth injury attorney examines the new tools and changes in social stigmas that are allowing children with CP to succeed in school.
Birth Injury Attorney | How to Assist a Child with Cerebral Palsy
Description: Those with Cerebral Palsy face many difficulties, but there are several ways to help them have a better quality of life.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Description: A study of cerebral palsy patients published in July 2009 involves individuals with a rare form of cerebral palsy who had devices implanted in their brain. These devices are supposed to help these individuals gain movement.
An Amazing New Advancement for Children with CP
Description: Children who have cerebral palsy certainly have some extra challenges in life. Cerebral Palsy is a chronic condition that occurs due to damage to the brain during pregnancy, delivery or an injury in very early childhood. The way it affects each person can vary depending on which part of the brain has been affected, but some common issues associated with CP are speech impairment, spastic movements, lack of muscle control or muscle weakness and mental challenges.
What Therapies are Avaliable for my Child?
Description: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a frightening diagnosis for any parent to hear. It is a condition, not a birth defect or disease that is characterized by the brain's inability to control the movements of the body. CP is caused by some sort of damage to a child's brain, either during pregnancy, during birth, or just after birth. Sometimes these injuries are preventable and are caused by birth injuries. For instance, a doctor or midwife may allow the baby to stay in the birth canal too long, cutting off its oxygen supply to the brain.
New Technology For Cerebral Palsy
Description: We try to monitor the news wires and keep up to date on what is going on in the cerebral palsy community. Today, I came across a story that was really touching and interesting. It's a story about two grandparents who have taken care of their son, Malachi for 22 years.
What is HBOT therapy for Cerebral Palsy?
Description: Over 500,000 Americans have some form of cerebral palsy today. Every year, more than 4,500 new cases exist. Cerebral palsy is not a diagnosis, but rather a descriptive term that is is used to describe a group of chronic disorders.
Cerebral Palsy Treatment and Therapy
Description: There isn't a standard treatment for cerebral palsy. Everyone is affected differently so treatment has to be tailored to the individual. Since there isn't a cure for CP, most physicians focus on treatment and therapy that is focused on managing or minimizing the problems associated with CP.
Magnesium Sulfate Protects Preterm Babies Against Cerebral Palsy
Description: Administering magnesium sulfate to women who are at risk for preterm birth reduces the newborn's odds of developing cerebral palsy, according to researchers.
Magnesium Sulfate May Lower Risk of Cerebral Palsy
Description: Treating women who are at risk of delivering prematurely with magnesium sulfate reduces the risk of cerebral palsy, according to a study performed by Dr. Caroline Crowther.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy & Cerebral Palsy
Description: A few months back, we briefly reported on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a treatment for cerebral palsy. The internet is full of stories about this treatment, some parents and doctors swearing by it, others not so sure, and still others adament about its deleterious effects.