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Treatment and Intervention 

Unfortunately for Cerebral Palsy, there is not a cure, but there are many different treatments and interventions that can help reduce pain and spasticity, improve mobility, and enable children with Cerebral Palsy to remain active!

 

Different treatments can range from physical and occupational therapies, surgical intervention, and appropriate medical care. Many of the interventions target the symptoms that we discussed on the previous page!

 

On this page, we are going to take a look at the different types of treatments that are available!

Surgical Interventions

Orthopedic Surgery

  • Usually considered as a last resort after less invasive interventions

  • Most often performed on the lower extremities 

  • May be used to correct leg or arm deformities or even scoliosis

  • Typically the goals of orthopedic surgery are to:

    • Improve muscle control and movement

    • Minimize pain and spasticity

    • Increase balance and coordination

    • Improve functionality

Neurosurgery

  • Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy - 30-50% of the nerves are cut to permanently reduce spasticity in one's legs

  • Baclofen Pump  - A pump is inserted into a person's abdoment and it releases baclofen intoo the fluid surrounding the spine in an effort to reduce spasticity

Hearing Surgery

  • Children with CP are more prone to conductive and sensorineural hearing losses

  • They may benefit from hearing aid technology

Gastroenterology Surgery

  • Used to help improve intake and digestion of food and liquids and bowel functioning 

  • Children with CP may have greater difficulty with eating and swallowing because they lack the muscle coordination needed for swallowing

  • Gastroenterological surgeries include

    • Placement of an NG tube

    • Gastrostomy tube

    • Fundoplication (reduces vomiting and chest infections)

    • Bladder Augmentation (helps reduce complication with urinary infections and incontinence)

 

Non-Surgical Interventions

Medication

  • Botulinum Type A Injections - Helps reduce pain and support comfort after injected into muscles experiencing spasticity 

  • Other medications may be used to help manage coexisting conditions such as epilepsy or seizures

Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

  • Help the child to learn to do typical daily activities such as walking, running, sitting, playing, and dressing

  • During these therapy sessions, children learn to utilize movement equipment and interventions such as wheel chairs, supportive seating, supportive footwear, and walking frames. 

Speech Pathology and Therapy

  • Through the use of therapy, a speech-language pathologist may asses the ability to communicate

  • They may also introduce different methods of communication such as sign langauge or communication boards 

Braces, Splints, and casts

  • They may be used to help improve range of motion, prevent spasticity, and stabilize joints

  • Braces and orthotics can be adapted for any part on the body that needs additional support 

  • There are also over the counter orthotics that can be used, such as shoe inserts 

 

Examples of Different types of braces for a child 

)Boston Children's Hospital, n.d.)

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016)

(Cerebral Palsy Alliance, 2016)

(Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, n.d.)

(The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, n.d.)

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