Treatment of Cerebral Palsy
Researchers are continually looking for an improved method of treating cerebral
palsy, especially since many causes of the condition are unknown. Treatment can
allow those affected by cerebral palsy to live in a more manageable way.
Cerebral palsy treatment can include different types of therapy , medication and
surgery. The earlier a child begins cerebral palsy treatment, the better off
they are able to cope with the changes they will endure and the differences
these changes are for those affected by cerebral palsy.
Therapy
There are different types of therapy used to help treat cerebral palsy, and some
therapy methods work better depending on the type of cerebral palsy the
individual has and on that person. Therapy treatments available for cerebral
palsy include physical therapy, behavioral therapy, amongst other types of
therapy. Some type of therapy is an important part of cerebral
palsy treatment. As soon as cerebral palsy is identified in a child, some form
of therapy begins.
Physical therapy is the first type of therapy that is incorporated into the life
of a cerebral palsy child. After cerebral palsy diagnosis is made physical
therapy begins soon after within the first few years of the child’s life.
Cerebral palsy often involves the weakening or deterioration of muscles that
physical therapy can help prevent. This type of cerebral palsy therapy utilizes
exercises in order to achieve certain goals. Kids affected by cerebral palsy do
not achieve stretching of the body’s muscles and tendons as they grow due to
contracture that physical therapy can help with so that previous abilities are
not disrupted.
Behavioral therapy works to complement physical, speech, or occupational
therapy. Based on the individual affected with cerebral palsy, different methods
of therapy are used. As the children grow older this can greatly increase their ability to manage their
condition. A lot of therapy will involve doing certain exercises at home and is
an ongoing process. More effective, as well as a wider range of cerebral palsy
therapies are being incorporated all the time, as research on cerebral palsy is
an ongoing process.
Medication
There is no cure to cerebral palsy, so a cerebral palsy medication can only help
with the symptoms of the condition. Some people affected by cerebral palsy may
have some other conditions along with it that can be improved with
medication. Usually, cerebral palsy medication is used to relax
tightened muscles and spasms. Seizures associated with cerebral palsy can also be
treated with an anticonvulsant medication. For more information on cerebral
palsy, contact us to speak with a cerebral palsy lawyer.
Common medication choices for cerebral palsy may include:
Medications that relax tight muscles and reduce muscle spasms are given,
especially following a cerebral palsy surgery.
Diazepam (such as Valium)
Baclofen (Lioresal)
Dantrolene sodium (Dantrium)
Injectable antispasmodic medications to reduce muscle spasms are used to reduce
spasticity for a short period. Doctors often use this type of drug therapy in
cerebral palsy patients that need to correct a developing contracture.
Phenol or alcohol "washes"
Botox
Medications that control seizures are often very effective in preventing
seizures in many people with cerebral palsy.
Phenytoin (such as Dilantin)
Phenobarbital Carbamazepine (such as Tegretol)
Valproate (such as Depakene, Depakote)
Medications to help control body movements or drooling, especially in athetoid
cerebral palsy patients, are given drugs that reduce the activity of
acetylcholine, which is a chemical messenger that helps some brain cells
communicate and that triggers muscle contraction.
Trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride (Artane)
Benztropine mesylate (Cogentin)
Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet)
Procyclidine hydrochloride (Kemadrin)
Glycopyrrolate (Robinul)
Surgery
Surgery to treat cerebral palsy is most commonly performed to loosen tight
muscles and release fixed joints or to cut nerves that are most affected by
uncontrollable movements. Some cerebral palsy conditions can be greatly
alleviated with surgery. The need to undergo cerebral palsy surgery is based on
individual symptoms, age, and their overall health.
If a person does have a cerebral palsy surgical procedure, the need for cerebral
palsy physical therapy is combined with it for best results. In some instances,
drug therapy or physical therapy can postpone the immediate need for surgery and
sometimes even eliminate it completely. Tests will be performed to determine
what type of cerebral palsy surgery is necessary and what type would best suit
the individual. Different health professionals have different opinions on what
age they feel surgery can be performed.
Your Legal Concerns
While most doctors, nurses, midwives, and
hospital technicians provide a high standard of care for their patients,
unfortunately, many families are harmed by medical mistakes. A physician may
have misread fetal monitoring equipment, failed to diagnose fetal distress
during labor, waited too long to perform a C Section, administered too much
Pitocin, or failed to act in a timely manner. Parents of a child suffering with
cerebral palsy should
contact an
experienced cerebral palsy lawyer to research the cause of their child’s
condition.
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