Treatment of cerebral palsy

There are several treatment options for cerebral palsy but parents should know that, given the tremendous uncertainties in the outcome, physicians usually choose to treat newborns and preserve life with the hope that the outcome will be a good one.

Some of the most common treatment options are:


Physical therapy

It is clear that muscle training and exercises may help improve child's strength, balance and mobility and lead to greater independence.
This is after all, a motor impairment. There are several devices that can be used which may improve hand and leg function and prevent contractures such as braces, splints or casts. Most experts recommend that the focus should be on helping child to learn skills for daily living such as self-care skills like feeding and dressing.

Speech therapy

Speech therapists and logopeds may be able to not only help your child speak better, but also to improve the eating skills.

Vision and hearing aids

Since this condition can affect vision and hearing capabilities, a child may need eyeglasses or surgery to correct conditions such as cross-eye or other inability of the eyes.

Medications

Some of the most commonly used medications include simple muscle relaxants which ease muscle stiffness and anticonvulsants which reduce seizures.

Surgery

The most important indication for surgery is when the child has severe contractures in muscles, tendons, nerves or joints. The operation should help place the arms and legs in the correct positions.  A careful screening is required before the procedure and it should be performed by an expert team of health professionals. Several professionals can be included in evaluation and operation including pediatric neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, pediatric neurologists, pediatric physiatrists and physical therapists.

Assistive technology

What exactly is Assistive technology? It is a special kind of technology which includes such small tools as rails, grab bars, magnifiers, and grips attached to forks and pens. This should make them easier to grasp. It also includes more expensive, high-tech tools, such as customized wheelchairs, voice communication devices, computer software programs, and positioning equipment.