Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition caused by damage to the developing brain, typically occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. It affects a person’s ability to control their muscles, posture, and movement. The symptoms and severity vary greatly depending on the type and area of the brain affected.

Types of Cerebral Palsy and Associated Muscular Issues

Spastic Cerebral Palsy (Most common type):

• Muscular Issues: Increased muscle tone (hypertonia), leading to stiff and tight muscles, which cause awkward, jerky movements.

• Affected Side: It can be unilateral (affecting one side of the body) or bilateral (affecting both sides).

• Hemiplegia: One side of the body (right or left) is affected, typically one arm and one leg.

• Diplegia: Primarily affects both legs, though the arms may also be involved.

• Quadriplegia: Affects all four limbs, the face, and the torso, with significant mobility issues.

• Overall Muscular Issues: Limited range of motion, muscle tightness leading to contractures, difficulty with gross motor skills like walking, and poor posture.

Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy (Athetoid or Dystonic):

• Muscular Issues: Involuntary, uncontrolled movements, often fluctuating between tense and loose muscle tone.

• Affected Side: Generally affects the entire body.

• Overall Muscular Issues: Difficulty controlling limb movements, challenges with sitting or walking, and possible involvement of facial muscles, affecting speech and feeding.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy:

• Muscular Issues: Low muscle tone (hypotonia) and a lack of coordination, resulting in shaky or unsteady movements.

• Affected Side: Affects both sides of the body, with no preference.

• Overall Muscular Issues: Balance problems, difficulty with precise movements (e.g., writing), and an unsteady gait.

Mixed Cerebral Palsy:

• Muscular Issues: A combination of spasticity and dyskinesia, resulting in both tight and involuntary movements.

• Affected Side: Varies, can affect one or both sides.

• Overall Muscular Issues: Mixed motor challenges, often leading to significant difficulties in movement and posture control.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

          Prenatal Causes:

• Brain malformation or damage during brain development.

• Maternal infections or exposure to toxins.

• Genetic mutations or metabolic disorders.

  Perinatal Causes:

• Lack of oxygen (asphyxia) during labor or birth.

• Premature birth or complications like placental detachment.

  Postnatal Causes:

• Brain injury after birth (due to infections, trauma, or stroke).

• Neonatal infections such as meningitis or encephalitis.

How we deal with Cerebral Palsy at MindFit?

Physiotherapists (Gross Motor Skills):

Address the primary motor and muscle issues, focusing on improving mobility, balance, strength, and posture. They help manage spasticity, contractures, and abnormal muscle tone.

Occupational Therapists (Fine Motor Skills and Daily Living):

Focus on fine motor skills and helping the child perform daily tasks like eating, dressing, and writing. They also work on improving hand-eye coordination and independence.

Speech and Language Therapists (Communication and Feeding):

Manage speech, language, and communication challenges caused by poor muscle control in the mouth and face. They also work on feeding and swallowing issues.

Behavioral Therapists (If Necessary):

Although CP primarily affects motor functions, some children may have behavioral issues related to frustration, communication challenges, or emotional regulation. In such cases, behavioral therapy may be helpful.