Treatment & Care
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that is caused by damage to the brain. The condition affects a child’s ability to control movement and posture, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. Most children who suffer from cerebral palsy also develop other problems including mental retardation, learning disabilities, seizures, impaired vision and hearing, and speech difficulties.
While there is no known cure for cerebral palsy, there are various treatment and care options, which can significantly improve your child’s quality of life. If your child has cerebral palsy, it is important to work with a team of medical professionals who will develop a specialized treatment plan, enabling your child to reach his/her greatest potential.
Children with cerebral palsy will typically undergo a number of treatments and rehabilitative care including, but not limited to:
- Physical therapy - Physical therapy aids in improving motor skills such as walking, enhances muscle strength, and prevents contractures, which is the shortening of muscles that affects joint movement. Many times, braces and casts are used in conjunction with physical therapy to achieve maximum improvement.
- Drug therapy - In some cases, a doctor will prescribe oral medications to reduce spasticity and ease abnormal movements. Unfortunately, oral drug therapy is not very helpful in treating symptoms of cerebral palsy. Botox has become a popular form of drug treatment for children and adults who have cerebral palsy. Botox (botulinum toxin) is injected directly into convulsive muscles to ease spasticity. Botox typically lasts several months and has shown to augment the effectiveness of physical therapy.
- Surgery - In some rare cases, surgery may be an option to treat severe symptoms of cerebral palsy. If contractures seriously limit the use of joints, surgery may be helpful to lengthen the muscles. In cases where both legs are severely affected by spasticity, a surgical operation called selective dorsal rhizotomy helps permanently improve tight muscles and enhance sitting, standing, and walking.
- Occupational therapy - An occupational therapist is important for the treatment of cerebral palsy. A therapist will work with the child to build the skills required for daily living. Cerebral palsy children who suffer from speech complications can work with a speech therapist or in severe cases learn to use devices such as computerized voice synthesizers that aid in communication.
- Mechanical devices - New and improved mechanical devices are being developed everyday that are designed to help children with cerebral palsy reach their maximum potential. Walkers, positioning devices, specialized wheelchairs, and customized scooters and tricycles are examples of some cerebral palsy mechanical aids.
The lifetime costs of caring for a child with cerebral palsy can be remarkable. If your child has developed this condition as a result of medical malpractice, you may be eligible to receive help covering the costs of care. Please contact us to speak with a qualified representative to learn more about your legal rights and options.