Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of chronic disorders caused by injury to the immature brain. Since the brain controls the movement and coordination of the arms and legs, patients with cerebral palsy can have mild or severe problems with muscle control.
Although cerebral palsy cannot be cured, treatment can often improve a child's capabilities. There is no standard therapy that works for all patients. For this reason, it is best to consult with a physician. The pediatric orthopaedists at Henry Ford can evaluate a child to determine which course of treatment would be best. Some treatment approaches include drugs to control muscle spasticity, special braces to compensate for muscle imbalance, or surgery. In general, the earlier treatment begins, the better chance a child has of overcoming developmental disabilities and of learning new ways to accomplish difficult tasks.
