Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Treatment of Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy cannot be cured because it is not possible to repair damage to the brain. However, much can be done to help children control their muscular action and to prevent deformities from forming.

• Physiotherapy is used to help with posture and movement. It helps to stop muscular problems getting worse.
• Drugs such as muscle relaxants can be used to control spasms in the muscles (involuntary tightening) and hyperactivity of the muscles (such as uncontrollable jiggling). Botulinum Toxin is a type of bacteria that is injected into muscles, making them less stiff and enabling joints to move more freely. A drug called baclofen can be injected directly into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord, and reduces muscle hyperactivity.
• Surgery may be required to loosen muscles that have permanently tightened around joints, called contractures. A procedure called dorsal rhizotomy can be used to cut nerves in the spine that are causes abnormal tightening of muscles.
• Braces can be used to strap up joints and help with movements such as walking.

The other symptoms of cerebral palsy can also be treated. 

• If the child has fits (seizures), they may be prescribed anticonvulsant drugs. 
• Speech and language therapy helps not only with speech but also eating, drinking and swallowing.
• Hearing aids and glasses can help with sight and hearing difficulties. 
• Special educational needs such as learning difficulties can be provided for by specialist schools or by support staff in mainstream schools. Children benefit most when they get special help from an early age. 

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