Cerebral Palsy

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy refers to a group of disorders that makes it difficult for a person to move and maintain balance and posture. 

Cerebral palsy impedes your body's ability to coordinate movements, leading to issues with:

• Moving, walking, running
• Breathing
• Bladder and bowel control
• Eating
• Talking

The doctors and healthcare team at THINK Neurology for Kids diagnose the three types of cerebral palsy.

Spastic

Spastic cerebral palsy causes stiffness and makes movement difficult.

Dyskinetic or athetoid

Dyskinetic or athetoid cerebral palsy causes uncontrolled movements.

Ataxic

Ataxic cerebral palsy causes balance and depth perception issues.

How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?

The doctors and healthcare team at THINK Neurology for Kids use brain scans and other tests to help reveal damage and abnormal development in the brain to diagnose cerebral palsy. These include:

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce a detailed image of your child’s brain and helps the doctors and healthcare team at THINK Neurology for Kids to identify lesions and abnormalities.

Cranial ultrasound

Cranial ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create preliminary images of your child’s brain. 

Electroencephalogram

Also referred to as an EEG, electroencephalogram uses a series of electrodes to record the electrical activity in your child’s brain. The doctors and healthcare team at THINK Neurology for Kids use EEG if your child has or they suspect has seizures. Seizures can be silent.

Laboratory tests

Blood, urine, and skin tests allow the doctors and healthcare team at THINK Neurology for Kids to screen your child for genetic and metabolic problems.

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy often results in further testing to help develop a treatment plan. These tests include:

• Vision
• Hearing
• Speech
• Intellect
• Development
• Movement

After conducting these tests, the doctors and healthcare team at THINK Neurology for Kids develop a custom treatment plan.

How is cerebral palsy treated?

No cure exists for cerebral palsy. Treatment improves the lives of those with the condition, especially when it is started as early as possible. Medical interventions for cerebral palsy include:

Medication

Medication lessens muscle tightness and helps improve functional abilities and treat pain. The most common types of medication for cerebral palsy include muscle and nerve injections and oral muscle relaxants.

Therapies

Doctors and healthcare team at THINK Neurology for Kids recommend a variety of therapies for cerebral palsy, including:

• Physical therapy to improve strength, flexibility, balance, motor development and mobility
• Occupational therapy to help your child gain independence 
• Speech and language therapy to assist with communication and difficulties with eating and swallowing
• Recreational therapy to boost motor skills, speech, and emotional well-being

Surgical procedures

Surgery may help lessen muscle tightness and correct bone abnormalities. Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) is a spinal surgery usually performed on children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), which can improve mobility, reduce pain, and relieve lower limb spasticity.

THINK Neurology for Kids works with you to get your child diagnosed and treated for cerebral palsy as soon as possible. If you suspect cerebral palsy, call or make an appointment online today.