Cerebral Palsy Law Blog : Cerebral Palsy Lawyer & Attorney : Burke & Eisner Law Firm : Medical Malpractice Lawyers & Attorneys

Cerebral palsy is a disability that affects an estimated 8,000 babies each year. This neurological condition can have a lifelong impact on the movement and coordination of the body. Due to the nature of this disability and its affect on the brain and muscles, many children who live with cerebral palsy require a wheelchair or walker to move around. Not only is this technology helping kids move in a more normal fashion, but according to researchers it’s also helping kids with cerebral palsy feel more confident.

Little Girl Benefits From Technology

Jenna Culleeney was born with bleeding in her brain, which caused her to be born with the disability, cerebral palsy. At sixteen weeks she reportedly weighed a mere pound and a half. After having surgery to break and re-set her legs, she was still having trouble to walk says her mother, Nannette.
To help Jenna walk the therapists at Shriners’ Hospital for Children strapped her into a robotic machine that has recently been shown to help children with the disability balance and find a way to walk that works for them. The legs of the machine have been specially designed for children’s legs.
 

Therapy Details
 

The machine enables children to repeat the same motion on a consistent basis. This helps their muscles become stronger and even increases their endurance. There are currently six centers across the United States that are using this type of robotic therapy for children with the cerebral palsy disability.


 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Hippotherapy is a unique treatment that can be used to help both children and adults with a variety of physical, emotional, and communication disabilities. This technique uses the movement of the horse to help with neurological function and sensory processing for those with cerebral palsy, autism, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries and more. Hippotherapy is a treatment relies heavily on the actual movement of the horse through therapeutic riding.

How Does Hippotherapy Differ from Therapeutic Riding?

So you many be wondering, how does hippotherapy differ from therapeutic riding? Both of these activities rely on a horse’s movement to stimulate physical, mental, and emotional growth. However, each form of therapy is unique.
 


Therapeutic Riding is typically taught by a NARHA Certified Instructor and is conducted in a group or private setting. This form of therapy is formulated around teaching the riders to control their horse through various activities that help encourage the development of cognitive, physical and social skills. Therapeutic riding is commonly conducted in a group setting and is organized according to age, type of disability and level of riding skill. 

 

Though hippotherapy is similar to therapeutic, there are some main differences. Hippotherapy is instructed by a licensed speech and language therapist, physical therapist, or occupational therapist. It is important that the therapist who is instructing the session is registered with the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA). He or she should also be a NARHA Certified Instructor. The rider works one-on-one with the therapist, which allows for more personal direction and attention. This way the therapy is also specifically directed at the rider’s individual needs and goals.

To get started with hippotherapy talk with your doctor or a therapist about the options available to you in your community.

For more information on hippotherapy and its benefits, visit  www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org






 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Although no cure for cerebral palsy has been found yet, there are various treatments and different therapies that can help improve the lives of those living with the disability. Two forms of therapy that have been proven to help patients with cerebral palsy are hippotherapy and creating crafts.

Hippotherapy is a specialized treatment that can be beneficial to both children and adults who are living with various physical and emotional disabilities. This type of therapy is also unique in the fact that it can help those with speaking and language disabilities. Hippotherapy uses the way a horse moves while walking to help with neurological function and sensory processing. It can help those living with cerebral palsy, autism, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries, psychological disorders and more. Unlike other forms of therapy that use horses, hippotherapy doesn’t teach patients riding skills as part of their treatments. Instead, it is dependent on the actually pelvic movement of the horse as it walks to help an individual. To learn more about hippotherapy, visit http://www.horseot.blogspot.com.

Another form of therapy that is widely used on those with cerebral palsy by therapists is the art of craft making. Those with cerebral palsy can’t always verbalize how they’re feeling or specify what challenges them most in their day to day lives. But through activities like making crafts, physical therapists are able to detect these challenges and work on improving them. When someone is creating something their movements can show a great deal about their neurological and sensory capabilities. It can also give clues about the level of a person’s motor skills. To learn more about this form of therapy and how you can create crafts using recycled materials visit http://www.recyclingot.blogspot.com.

Both of these therapies can not only help patients living with cerebral palsy, but they can also be beneficial to those living with multiple sclerosis, brain injuries, autism, and a variety of other disabilities and physical and mental illnesses.



 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Dystonia-choreoathetosis affects approximately 10 percent of all cerebral palsy patients and it is notoriously difficult to treat. However, a new study by French researchers shows promise for treating this form of cerebral palsy.

Using what is known as bilateral pallidal deep brain stimulation (BP-DBS), researchers were able to improve motor symptoms in 8 out of 13 cerebral palsy patients who participated in the trial. Improvement in motor functioning was based on a movement rating scale and ranged from 21 to 55 percent, with an average of 24.4 percent. The researchers also found that the deep brain stimulation helped to reduce pain.

Deep brain stimulation involves the use of an implantable device that operates similar to a pacemaker. Whereas a pacemaker uses electrical currents to help regulate heartbeat, deep brain stimulation uses electrical impulses to help the brain control movement in the body.

Although the initial results are promising, researchers made sure to point out that the study was small and additional research is necessary – particularly with regard to treating cerebral palsy symptoms in children.

 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

On Thursday, July 2nd, the Today Show will feature a story on the robotics research being conducted to improve the lives of children and adults with cerebral palsy. For the segment, the show visited the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the Blythedale Children’s Hospital. The show will specifically focus on how robots can be used to improve cerebral palsy symptoms in the arms and legs.
The Today Show runs from 7 to 11 a.m. ET on NBC, but the segment may be available on the show’s website after it airs.


 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

In April, Honda introduced two walking devices designed to assist people with weakened leg muscles and other mobility challenges. Though the devices are still in the testing phase, they seem to hold promise for individuals whose mobility is impaired by cerebral palsy symptoms.

The Stride Management Assist and the Bodyweight Support Assist are both lightweight, wearable walking devices that rely on computer sensors to obtain information about the user’s stride and pace.

This information is then used by the device to apply “cooperative control” – in other words, to make calculated adjustments so that walking is easier. The second device, however, is also designed to support some of the user’s bodyweight and reduce pressure on the leg joints during physically strenuous activities.
 

Honda is applying for patents for both devices and is still working to ensure that they are effective in real-world situations.


 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Intensive locomotion therapy is a relatively new area of research in treating cerebral palsy symptoms in children, and clinical studies involving the Pediatric Lokomat® have so far shown positive results.
 

What is the Pediatric Lokomat?
 

The Pediatric Lokomat is essentially a robotic treadmill training device. Unlike manual treadmill training that requires the assistance of a physical therapist, the Pediatric Lokomat uses robotic gait orthoses and harnesses to guide a child through the session. The device monitors the patient’s movements and can be adjusted to meet individual needs.

The Pediatric Lokomat is appropriate for children over the age of four with cerebral palsy and other gait-impaired patients.

Clinical research projects involving the Pediatric Lokomat can be found at various hospitals across the United States. Your child’s medical providers may be able to provide you more information regarding this particular type of therapy.

 

 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Deep brain stimulation appears to ease a common cerebral palsy symptom in young patients, according to a small-scale analysis of patients treated at Cook Children’s Hospital in Texas. The symptom, known as dystonia, is characterized by uncontrollable and sometimes painful muscle contractions.

Deep brain stimulation involves the implantation of a device that sends electrical impulses to certain areas of the brain. The treatment, which has few side effects, has already been shown to have therapeutic benefits for treating dystonia symptoms in adults. However, this new study suggests that young cerebral palsy patients may benefit as well.

“The younger patients do better, probably because the older patients have more fixed orthopedic impairment,” said Dr. Warren A. Marks. He added that most improvement is seen in the arms and that no patient has been able to walk if they were previously unable to.

The study findings are based on the evaluation of seven cerebral palsy patients from age eight to 26 who were followed after the deep brain stimulation for six months to a year. Researchers noted that more extensive studies need to be conducted. They also noted that the results pertain only to treating dystonia and not spasticity, which is another common cerebral palsy symptom.






 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Food and Drug Administration officials are warning about potentially fatal side effects associated with the use of Botox for treating muscle spasticity, particularly in children with this cerebral palsy symptom. Children with spastic cerebral palsy are sometimes treated with Botox, though the drug is not approved in the U.S. for this use.

The FDA said in a statement that some children given Botox for muscle spasticity have experienced symptoms of botulism. In some cases the symptoms have led to hospitalization and even death, according to the FDA.

Botulism symptoms may occur when the toxin spreads from the site of injection and include:

• Loss of muscle strength
• Difficulty speaking or hoarseness
• Vision problems
• Trouble breathing or swallowing
• Loss of bladder control

The agency is now requiring a bold black box warning on the labels of Botox and related botulinum toxin products. Parents of children with cerebral palsy who have questions or concerns about the risks associated with Botox should discuss this new warning with their physicians.



 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Botox is sometimes used to reduce muscle spasticity, a rather common cerebral palsy symptom. But research suggests that it may also help reduce the risk of hip dislocation, which is a problem in some children with cerebral palsy.

Traditionally braces have been used to prevent hip dislocation, but one study compared the use of braces to the use of Botox injections in 16 patients between 9 months and 4 years of age. According to the researchers, some of the patients benefitted from the Botox injections. However, the authors add that more extensive studies need to be done.

If your child has cerebral palsy, you may wish to talk to your doctor about the risk of hip dislocation. Each child is unique, so the treatment options for your child will depend on his or her particular circumstances.  

 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy – the first and most obvious question you want to ask your doctor is “what is cerebral palsy?” The answer is rather broad, considering that cerebral palsy is a single term used to define a group of movement disorders. To get a better understanding of your child’s condition, ask your doctor the following:
 

What type of cerebral palsy does my child have? There are several types of cerebral palsy, including spastic, ataxic, athetoid and mixed. Knowing what type of cerebral palsy your child has will help you to better understand how to help him/her.

What are the possible treatment options? Each child’s treatment plan should be tailored to his/her individual needs, but your doctor may recommend anything from physical therapy to surgery.

Will my child’s condition improve? Cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition, meaning it will not worsen over time. However, various treatments may help to improve certain aspects of movement.

Does my child need to take medication? The answer to this question may depend on whether your child has associated conditions such as seizures.

What is the prognosis? There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but your doctor can discuss with you ways in which you can help to improve your child’s quality of life.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

One of the conditions often associated with cerebral palsy is seizures. Seizures are commonly prevented using one of two medications, both of which are classified as anticonvulsants and both of which have recently been linked to heart risks: phenytoin (Dilantin®) or carbamazepine (Tegetrol® and Carbatrol®).

Dilantin was first used in 1938 and has since been the most widely used anticonvulsant in the United States, while Tegetrol is more popular globally. However, researchers have linked these two anticonvulsants with increased levels of cholesterol and other markers of heart disease – a problem not found in patients taking the newer anti-seizure drugs levetiracetam (Keppra®) and lamotrigine (Lamictal®).

If your child experiences seizures as a cerebral palsy symptom, you may wish to talk to your doctor about the significance of this new study which is published online in the Annals of Neurology.

 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

From February 18th – 21st, renowned researchers from around the world will gather in Sydney, Australia for the largest cerebral palsy convention to date: The 3rd International Cerebral Palsy Conference.

The event, which will feature experts from various disciplines, seeks to promote collaboration among specialists for the advancement of cerebral palsy treatments. This year’s theme is “Across the Life-Span” and featured speakers include:

Dr. Roslyn Boyd, a physiotherapist recognized internationally for her cerebral palsy research

Dr. Eve Blair, an epidemiologist with over 25 years of experience

Dr. Donna Ferriero, who serves as the Director of the Neonatal Brain Disorder Laboratories and co-director of the Newborn Brain Research Institute at UCSF

Dr. Fiona Stanley, founding Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research

For more information about this event, visit CP 2009

 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (2)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

If passed, pending legislation in Illinois will require insurance companies to cover treatment costs for children with cerebral palsy, autism and other physical disabilities. The new governor has not said whether he will approve the bill, which could affect tens of thousands of children across the state.

Insurance companies currently deny what they consider “habilitative” treatment, or treatment intended to help children develop new skills or ones they haven’t mastered. Without insurance coverage, many parents are unable to afford therapies that could improve their child’s life.

“It’s an important bill for families with kids that need this therapy,” said Senator Maggie Crotty, one of the sponsors of the bill.

 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The use of orthotic devices such as braces have been shown to improve cerebral palsy symptoms in children with diplegia, but little evidence shows whether certain braces are better than others. That’s why researchers decided to develop a study comparing the effectiveness of two different types of braces: hinged vs. dynamic-ankle foot orthoses.

Study Results
The study, which is published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, involved 15 children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy and specifically sought to determine whether one type of brace was more effective at improving gait and motor function than the other.

The results showed that both types of braces led to significant improvements in gait and there was little difference between the two in this regard. However, neither of the braces seemed to have a significant impact on motor functioning.

A Brief Word on Orthotics
Orthotics are intended to support weak muscles and reduce the risk of joint deformity, and orthotics vary according to the area in need of support. If you have questions about whether an orthotic device is right for your child, contact your primary care physician and ask for a referral to a pediatric orthopedic specialist.

See Also: Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Many families are familiar with the traditional treatments used to manage cerebral palsy symptoms, such as surgery, medication and physical therapy. However, some families are turning to holistic therapies to help alleviate the symptoms their child experiences.

While it is important to remember that each child is unique and will respond differently to different therapies, some holistic alternatives parents may wish to consider include:

• Acupuncture – This is a non-painful form of ancient Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of extremely fine needles at various points on the body to relieve pain. Studies involving acupuncture and cerebral palsy have shown that some children who received this therapy experienced a marked improvement with regard to their individual symptoms.
• Reflexology and massage therapy – Massage has a beneficial effect on the body for people with a wide range of conditions, including cerebral palsy.
• Biofeedback – Electromyograph (EMG) is an increasingly common form of biofeedback in which electrodes are used to measure muscle tension and relax tense muscles. It is sometimes used to alleviate the symptom of muscle spasticity in individuals with cerebral palsy.
• Nutritional awareness – Processed foods that are high in preservatives or additives may worsen your child’s cerebral palsy symptoms. Consulting a nutritionist may help you find foods that will not only lessen such symptoms, but also provide your child with other health benefits.

Other alternative therapies that may help to ease your child’s cerebral palsy symptoms include:  yoga, which can help with movement; sensory integration, which is used to stimulate the senses and help children to interact better with their environment; and listening/music programs, which have been effective in improving auditory processing and communication skills.

Of course, alternative therapies such as these are not necessarily intended to replace a child’s traditional medical care. However, many families are beginning to take a more integrated approach to treatment, incorporating both traditional and alternative therapies.

See also: What is Cerebral Palsy

                Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Clinical trials represent just one cerebral palsy treatment option, and participating in a clinical trial isn’t for everyone. However, for those who’d like to learn more about clinical trials, we came across this great article that discusses:
 

• What a clinical trial is
• Who should participate in a clinical trial
• Where clinical trials are conducted and by whom
• The phases and design of a clinical trial
• Protections for participants

The article, written by Dr. Peter W. Stacpoole, appears in Exceptional Parent Magazine and can be accesse at www.eParent.com

 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Eighteen year old Andy Sullman has cerebral palsy, but you wouldn’t know it to see him running. For nearly a year, he’s been training to run a marathon. Running has helped him overcome his cerebral palsy symptoms – something he was unable to do with traditional treatments like physical therapy.

Andy says running has made him stronger. Just before he began running, Andy began to lose feeling on the left side of his body and his head began to droop toward his shoulder. Now he stands straight and strong.

In It for the Long-Term

Andy was born prematurely and there were complications. A delay in treatment caused him to suffer brain damage, according to his mother, Dominique Sullman. On Sunday, Andy will run in the Chevron Houston Marathon.

“I want to run a marathon because I really enjoy running, and I want to show people that anybody can run a marathon with training,” he said.

And running is something Andy says he will continue to do. “It’s given him independence for life. It’s given him normality. There are so many kids out there with CP, maybe this can give them hope,” his mother said.



 
 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Posted by Cerebral Palsy Lawyer, David Austin

The San Antonio Military Medical Complex (SAMMC) is the only Department of Defense facility to provide comprehensive cerebral palsy treatment to children and adults with the condition. In fact, the facility’s spasticity clinic has been named a center of excellence for the treatment of cerebral palsy.

Medical specialists at the facility’s Adult and Pediatric Spasticity Clinic take a multidisciplinary approach to treatment to help reduce cerebral palsy symptoms. According to Major and pediatric neurologist Dr. Brian Faux, each patient is treated by a team of specialists that includes “pediatricians, orthopedic surgeons, physical, occupational and speech therapists, social workers, neurologists, neurosurgeons, educators and nutritionists.”

One particular treatment available at the clinic is medical pump implantation; the pump delivers a continuous dose of medication to ease some of the symptoms associated with cerebral palsy. Since 2003, the clinic has implanted 15 medical pumps into children.

"I would like to see children with cerebral palsy being implanted at a much younger age, before they start losing muscle and are wheelchair bound. It's important that we get the word out that we offer this treatment," Dr. Faux said.

SAMMC was formerly known as Wilford Hall Medical Center and the website can be accessed here.

 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A federally funded study will test whether a controversial therapy known as HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) can help to ease symptoms of cerebral palsy. Forty-eight children with cerebral palsy will participate in study and receive the therapy for free at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

Patients undergoing HBOT receive high concentrations of oxygen in a pressurized chamber. It’s believed that the high dose of oxygen can help revitalize damaged brain cells, which are at the root of cerebral palsy.

The therapy is already approved for use in individuals suffering from decompression sickness (the “bends”), carbon monoxide poisoning and radiation injuries. However, the use of HBOT in the treatment of neurological disorders like cerebral palsy is controversial.

Research has yet to prove the effectiveness of HBOT for easing the symptoms of cerebral palsy in kids, and this study may shed some light on whether it’s a therapy worth pursuing for this purpose.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A two-year-old girl has made “remarkable” progress since undergoing an experimental cerebral palsy treatment at Duke University in May. The treatment involved the use of the toddler’s own umbilical cord blood, which her parents had stored with a private company after she was born.

Chloe Levine was diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy after her parents noticed she was dragging her right leg while trying to crawl and having difficulty holding her bottle in her right hand.

When the family heard about the experimental research at Duke University, they decided to enroll Chloe. As part of the treatment, doctors injected Chloe with her own stem cells to repair damaged brain tissue. The results, according to her parents, were almost immediately apparent.

“She can walk, run and do sign language with her right hand,” her father said. “Her therapist said she’s made a 50 percent recovery.”

Cord blood contains a certain type of stem cell, which researchers are looking into for possible therapeutic properties. 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Yoga has become extremely popular in recent years, in part because of the large number of celebrities who promote the practice. Though yoga is primarily practiced by adults, children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities may also benefit from practicing yoga.

Several Ways Yoga Helps

Yoga is an ancient physical and mental tradition that originated in India. The practice of yoga involves the use of various asanas (postures) and breathing techniques to facilitate relaxation and meditation. In children with cerebral palsy, yoga provides a couple of significant benefits:

• Improves muscle tone – particularly in children with spastic cerebral palsy, which is characterized by high muscle tone. Holding certain postures stretches muscles and tendons, helping to relieve overall stress and tightness.
• Muscle resistance and strengthening – in children with hypotonia (low muscle tone), yoga postures can be used to create resistance and help strengthen loose or flaccid muscles.
• Realignment of spine – yoga can stretch and realign the spine, reducing pressure on the nerves and improving movement and coordination.

Practicing yoga may also help children with cerebral palsy feel a greater sense of independence. Parents interested in learning more about yoga for special needs children should visit the Yoga for the Special Child website

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

In recent years, Botox has gained increasing popularity as an effective cerebral palsy treatment. Though the Food and Drug Administration has not approved Botox for treating cerebral palsy, physicians have found in useful in controlling limb spasticity.

Botox, as most people are aware, is derived from a dangerous toxin. When injected into muscles, botulinum toxin causes the muscles to relax, thereby relieving spasms. However, medical treatments involving Botox often require much higher doses of the deadly toxin than cosmetic treatments.

Severe & Deadly Side Effects in Cerebral Palsy Patients

These higher doses can result in a greater risk of serious and potentially deadly side effects such as breathing problems and respiratory failure. In February, the FDA announced that it had received reports of hospitalizations and deaths in patients treated with Botox for both approved and unapproved uses.

The most severe reactions, according to the agency, occurred in children treated with Botox for limb-spasticity associated with cerebral palsy. The FDA emphasized that Botox has not been proven safe or effective for treating spasticity in cerebral palsy patients under age 12.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link