The term cerebral palsy refers to a number of neurological disorders that permanently affect movement and coordination. Though cerebral palsy is an incurable birth defect, treatment is available to help manage the disabilities associated with this birth injury. Generally, starting treatment early increases the likelihood that a patient will overcome developmental disabilities or learn new ways to complete challenging tasks.
Physical Therapy
The Mayo Clinic describes physical therapy as one of the most important therapies for children with cerebral palsy. Targeted muscle training and special exercises can help children improve their strength, balance and mobility, leading to greater independence. And stretching can be used to help slow the formation of contractures. A child with cerebral palsy may require physical therapy for many years, and this type of treatment generally begins as soon as muscle tone abnormality or developmental delay is detected. The cost of continued physical therapy can be overwhelming, and a cerebral palsy lawyer can help parents evaluate whether they might be entitled to financial compensation for their child’s birth injury.
Occupational and Speech Therapy
Some children with cerebral palsy will experience problems with hand function, self care or speech. Occupational therapy can help a child develop his or her hand skills and gain self-care skills, and this type of therapy addresses issues such as difficulty with feeding and swallowing as well as learning to use special equipment. Speech therapy can help children improve their language skills or learn alternative means of communication.
Medications
Many children with cerebral palsy receive medication as part of their treatment, some requiring prescriptions for their entire lives. Certain medications are prescribed to relax muscles and to reduce muscle spasms and tremors, while others, like Botox or phenol, can be used to reduce areas of muscle spasticity. Also, children who suffer from seizures may be prescribed anticonvulsant medication. When medical malpractice, negligence or error is to blame for a child’s birth trauma, the parents may be able to recover financial compensation that can help offset the high cost of their child’s medications.�
Orthotic Devices
Children suffering from cerebral palsy face the issue of their muscles not growing fast enough to keep up with the lengthening of their bones, which can lead to balance problems and cause children to lose certain abilities. Special braces, along with physical therapy and other treatment, can help stretch spastic muscles in an effort to prevent this complication.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery becomes necessary. Surgical procedures can help loosen tight or stiff muscles or correct problems like spinal curvature and uneven leg growth. Some children need pumps implanted that deliver medication directly to the spinal cord, while others require surgery to sever nerve roots. For children with feeding or swallowing problems, a feeding tube may need to be surgically placed. Surgery usually proves to be a very costly component of cerebral palsy treatment.
If your child has developed cerebral palsy and you suspect it may be the result of medical malpractice, negligence or error, contact an experienced cerebral palsy attorney to discuss your case and learn about your rights under birth injury law.
