Is it possible to cure cerebral palsy

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All rights reserved. The attorney responsible for this Website is Kenneth A. Internal mini form Contact Us Today Call Terms and Conditions. The future holds promise for change. The search for a cure for the brain damage that manifests as Cerebral Palsy, includes research on: Understanding cause and causal pathways Preventing brain injury and brain malformation from occurring Intervention measures to thwart brain injury and malformation Repairing brain cells to restore function to damaged areas of the brain Recently, stem cell research shows promise.

Learn More. Surgery can help fix dislocated hips and scoliosis curved spine , which are common in kids with CP. Leg braces help with walking. Kids can improve their bone health by having a diet that's high in calcium , vitamin D , and phosphorus. These nutrients help keep bones strong. Doctors, dietitians, and speech-language therapists can work with families to make sure kids get enough of the right nutrients and suggest changes to their diets or mealtime routines, if needed.

Kids with CP often need to see many different medical specialists for care. That team may include doctors and surgeons, other providers like physical assistants, nurses, therapists, psychologists, educators, and social workers. Even if many medical specialists are needed, it's still important to have a primary care provider or a medical home. This provider will take care of your child's routine health care and also help you coordinate care with other doctors.

Taking care of a child with cerebral palsy can feel overwhelming at times. Not only do kids with CP need a lot of attention at home, they also need to go to many medical visits and therapies. Don't be afraid to say yes when someone asks, "Can I help? To feel less alone and to connect with others who are facing the same challenges, find a local or online support group.

You also can get information and support from CP organizations, such as:. Staying strong and healthy is not only good for you, but also for your child and your whole family.

Living with cerebral palsy is different for every child. To help your child move and learn as much as possible, work closely with your care team to develop a treatment plan.

Then, as your child grows and their needs change, adjust the plan as needed. However, there are many treatments options that may help improve your child's daily functioning. Selecting care will depend on his or her specific symptoms and needs, and needs may change over time. Early intervention can improve outcomes. Treatment options can include medications, therapies, surgical procedures and other treatments as needed. Medications that can lessen muscle tightness might be used to improve functional abilities, treat pain and manage complications related to spasticity or other cerebral palsy symptoms.

Muscle or nerve injections. To treat tightening of a specific muscle, your doctor might recommend injections of onabotulinumtoxinA Botox , or another agent. The injections will need to be repeated about every three months. Side effects can include pain at the injection site and mild flu-like symptoms.

Other more-serious side effects include difficulty breathing and swallowing. Oral muscle relaxants. Drugs such as baclofen, tizanidine Zanaflex , diazepam Valium or dantrolene Dantrium are often used to relax muscles. In some cases, baclofen is pumped into the spinal cord with a tube intrathecal baclofen.

The pump is surgically implanted under the skin of the abdomen. Talk to your doctor about benefits and risks and possible side effects of recommended medication options.

Physical therapy. Muscle training and exercises can help your child's strength, flexibility, balance, motor development and mobility. You'll also learn how to safely care for your child's everyday needs at home, such as bathing and feeding your child. Your therapist can provide guidance on how you can continue muscle training and exercise at home between therapy visits.

For the first 1 to 2 years after birth, both physical and occupational therapists work on issues such as head and trunk control, rolling, and grasping. Later, both types of therapists are involved in wheelchair assessments. Braces, splints or other supportive devices might be recommended for your child to help with function, such as improved walking, and stretching stiff muscles.

Surgery may be needed to lessen muscle tightness or correct bone abnormalities caused by spasticity. These treatments include:. As needed, medications and other treatments may be recommended for seizures, pain, osteoporosis, mental health conditions, and problems with sleep, oral health, feeding and nutrition, bladder incontinence, vision, or hearing. As your child with cerebral palsy becomes an adult, his or her health care needs can change.

In addition to general health screenings recommended for all adults, ongoing health care includes evaluation and treatment for conditions that are more common in adults with cerebral palsy. These can include:. Some children and adolescents with cerebral palsy use some form of complementary or alternative medicine. These are therapies that are unproved and have not been adopted into routine clinical practice. If you're considering a complementary or alternative medicine or therapy, talk with your doctor about potential risks and benefits.

When a child is diagnosed with a disabling condition, the whole family faces new challenges. Here are a few tips for caring for your child and yourself:. In addition to addressing health needs, caring for your adult loved one with cerebral palsy may include planning for current and future lifestyle needs, such as:. If your child has cerebral palsy, how you learn about your child's condition can depend on the severity of the disabilities, when signs and symptoms started, and whether there were risk factors during pregnancy or delivery.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your child's appointment with his or her doctor.