Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
What is Cerebral Palsy (CP)?
If your child has a disability, it may be caused by an error at the birth. If this is the case, attorney Thomas Kiley, an advocate for children, may be able to get compensation for the care of the child over the child’s lifetime.
Some of these medical errors result in cerebral palsy. If your child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the long-term care and management can be expensive.
Defining Cerebral Palsy
Basically, cerebral palsy is a permanent condition that affects the communication between the brain and the muscles. This lack of communication causes a state of uncoordinated movement and posturing.
Cerebral palsy occurs in about two to three out of every 1,000 live births in the US.
It is more commonly seen in boys, multiple births, and in African Americans. Many cases of cerebral palsy have unknown causes.
How do I know if my child has cerebral palsy?
These are some of the most common cerebral palsy symptoms to watch for:
- muscle weakness,
- poor motor control,
- muscle tightness of the arms or legs,
- muscle stiffness in the form of stiff legs or clenched fists.
Children with this condition may also experience:
- seizures;
- problems with vision, hearing, or speech;
- learning disabilities and behavior problems;
- mental retardation;
- respiratory problems;
- bowel and bladder problems; or
- bone abnormalities, including scoliosis.
A baby with cerebral palsy may be slow to learn how to roll over, sit, crawl, or walk.
If you suspect your child may have cerebral palsy, the child should be diagnosed by a doctor, who will conduct a physical examination and a complete prenatal and birth history of the child. This is usually conducted when the baby is 6 to 12 months old, a time when the child should be showing developmental achievements, such as walking, and hand and head control.
The doctor may conduct:
- a neurological exam to evaluate the child’s reflexes and brain/motor function;
- x-rays to look at internal tissues, bones, and organs; feeding studies;
- an EEG procedure that records the brain’s electrical activity;
- blood tests;
- a gait lab analysis to evaluate the child’s walking skills;
- an MRI procedure to produce detailed images of organs and structures;
- a CAT or CT scan that shows detailed images of the bones, muscles, fat, and organs;
- genetic studies; and
- metabolic tests that evaluate the lack of a specific enzyme.
What is the treatment for cerebral palsy?
Once the child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the doctor will develop a treatment plan that includes determining what type of CP the child has, the extent of the disease, and the other factors that will affect the treatment such as the child’s age, overall health, medical history, and tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies.
Cerebral palsy is a life-long condition that is not curable or correctable, but families can develop a management plan for how to care for the child. It will take a team of people and caregivers to help the families with the care of the child with cerebral palsy, including the pediatrician, dentist, and rehabilitation team. This team includes physical, occupational, speech therapy, and audiology (hearing).
The family may work with:
- an orthopedic surgeon – a surgeon who specializes in conditions of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones;
- a neurologist – a physician who specializes in conditions of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves;
- a neurosurgeon – a surgeon who specializes in operating on the brain and spinal cord;
- an ophthalmologist – a physician who specializes in eye problems.
The family may also work with a orthotist – an individual who specializes in making braces and splints.
Non-surgical options are positioning aids to help the child sit, lie, or stand; or braces and splints to prevent deformity and provide support and protection. Medications can be used to control seizures or reduce spasticity in the muscles.
Families can focus on preventing or minimizing deformities and encouraging the child to strengthen his or her own self-esteem by promoting as much independence as possible.
Contact our Boston cerebral palsy lawyers today for our professional opinions and straight answers – both for the future of your child and for your family's ongoing financial security. Don't spend the rest of your life paying for someone else's mistakes.
Call 888-208-1695 to get started.
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