Prognosis & Treatments for Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a combination of a body disorder and a brain malfunction. There are also many classifications of the disease. Understanding cerebral palsy is crucial to treatment and therapy.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

• Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders caused by an injury to the brain. The disorders effect movement and also development, including learning and behavior.

Getting a Prognosis

• Getting a prognosis will take time because doctors need to evaluate a child's progress over time. Usually, after a year of observation and tests, doctors can understand the full range of a child's problems.

The Progession of the Cerebral Palsy

• Cerebral palsy doesn't get worse as you get older. The extent of injuries or behavioral problems can be seen as soon as the child is born, but as a child grows, things may become more obvious. There may be issues with paying attention and learning. Also, because of the nature of the disease, some spasms and posture problems can progress into scoliosis. Prognosis gets better if the disorder isn't as severe, or if it is caught early so treatments can begin.

Life Expectancy

• Cerebral palsy patients can live fairly long lives. In the most extreme cases, the life expectancy ranges from 30 to 40. In the average case, expectancy ranges from 60 to 70. Every individual case, however, is different.

Treatment

• Cerebral palsy patients must undergo constant physical therapy. This loosens up the joints and muscles that are stiff or twitching and helps with circulation. There are also speech and learning therapies that help a child to adapt to life with cerebral palsy.

  Depending on the severity of the disease, surgery and aides may be necessary. Orthopedists will operate on legs or other extremities if there are deformities or problems with growth. Because of brain damage, there may also be a need for glasses and hearing aids.