Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that can have a major impact on a person's motor skills, coordination, and muscle tone. It is a condition that varies from person to person, and finding the most effective treatment can often be taxing. In this article, we'll explore the various cerebral palsy treatment options available for individuals with this severe condition. Whether you are a parent seeking information for your child, a caregiver looking to support a loved one, or simply someone curious about this condition, we hope to provide you with valuable insights and resources to understand the treatment strategies for cerebral palsy better.
Treatment For Cerebral Palsy
The main approach for cerebral palsy treatment includes:
1. Medications
Medications are used to improve functional abilities and can lessen muscle tightness. These include:
- Muscle or nerve injections: These are given to treat the tightening of a specific muscle. The healthcare professional might recommend injections of onabotulinumtoxinA (botox) or another agent. The injections are administered about every three months.
- Oral muscle relaxants: Medicines such as baclofen, tizanidine, diazepam or dantrolene are often used to relax muscles.
2. Therapies
Therapies are of different types and play a crucial role in the treatment. These include:
- Physical therapy: Muscle training and physical activities can help a person’s adaptability, balance and motor development, equipping them to be more independant. A physical therapist likewise shows them how to focus on their regular requirements at home, like bathing.
- Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists aim to help your child gain independence in day-to-day activities at home, at school and in the community. They may reccomend adaptive equipment for children like walkers, canes with a wide base, standing and seating systems, or electric wheelchairs.
- Speech and language therapy: A speech specialist helps individuals speak more clearly, learn sign language, and communicate efficiently. They also can teach them the use of communication devices, like a computer and voice synthesiser, if communication is hard.
- Recreational therapy: This therapy can help improve a person's motor skills, speech, and emotional well-being. Such treatments usually include therapeutic horseback riding and skiing.
3. Surgical procedures
Doctors may recommend surgery to reduce muscle tightness or correct bone changes caused by spasticity. These treatments include:
- Orthopaedic surgery: Children with muscle tissue scarcity, known as contractures, might need surgery. Arms, spine, hips or legs can be placed correctly through surgery.
- Cutting nerve fibres, known as selective dorsal rhizotomy: This surgery is done when walking and moving becomes tough and other treatments don't help. Surgeons cut the nerves serving specific spastic muscles. It relaxes the pain but can result in numbness.
4. Other treatments
Cerebral palsy treatments also may be needed to help with sleep, oral health, feeding and nutrition, bladder incontinence, vision, or hearing. Medicines are prescribed for seizures, pain etc.