Cerebral Palsy
A non-progressive disorder of movement and posture from brain injury occurring before, during, or shortly after birth
Symptoms
- Delayed developmental milestones
- Muscle stiffness (spasticity)
- Muscle weakness
- Poor coordination
- Abnormal posture
- Difficulty walking
- Balance problems
- Involuntary movements
- Tremors
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Seizures
- Joint contractures
- Learning difficulties
A non-progressive disorder of movement and posture from brain injury occurring before, during, or shortly after birth (often linked to prematurity or oxygen deprivation), causing spasticity, weakness, or abnormal movements of varying severity. Management is lifelong and multidisciplinary: physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy, and braces to maximize function. Spasticity is treated with oral baclofen, botulinum toxin injections, or, for severe cases, an implanted intrathecal baclofen pump. Orthopedic surgery (tendon lengthening, hip surgery) corrects contractures and deformities, while selective dorsal rhizotomy—cutting overactive nerve rootlets—can permanently reduce spasticity in carefully selected children.
