Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Researchers are constantly 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 medication, different therapy types, 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.

Medication • Therapy • Surgery

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 the medication as well. Usually, cerebral palsy medication is used to relax tightened muscles and spasms. Seizures associated to 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)

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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 cerebral palsy 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 as they grow older 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.

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Surgery
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. 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.

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 with cerebral palsy.

Creams containing mercury are not safe because the metal can enter the body and the poison can affect the bones, nervous tissue, and blood forming system. Causing memory loss that can progress to cerebral palsy, mercury is also able to infiltrate the placenta and harm an unborn child.

• Breech presentation
• Complicated labor and delivery
• Low Apgar score
• Low birthweight and premature birth
• Multiple births
• Nervous system malformations
• Maternal bleeding or severe proteinuria late in pregnancy
• Maternal hyperthyroidism, mental retardation, or seizures
• Seizures in the newborn