Cerebral Palsy Treatment

The Cerebral Palsy Evaluation and Treatment Team at the Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center is pleased to care for your child. Our team-combining the expertise of pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric neurology, pediatric orthopedics, pediatric medicine and rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social services and nursing-provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art evaluation and treatment of children with cerebral palsy.  And we never forget that you are a central member of our team. The MCG Children's Medical Center specializes in family-centered care. You know your child better than anyone, and your input into their care is always valued and appreciated. 

This web page addresses concerns you may have as your child is treated for cerebral palsy. We hope this information about our services and facilities will be a handy resource for you and your family. Our team is eager to discuss any of your questions or concerns.

What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Children with cerebral palsy have a wide variety of problems, from very mild impairment to severe disability requiring total care. A common symptom is stiffness of the legs and arms, called spasticity.

Cerebral palsy also can affect the ability to speak, swallow, see and learn. Prematurity is a common cause of cerebral palsy, though there are other causes. Children with the condition generally are diagnosed around age 1.

How Is My Child Evaluated?
You will receive a schedule before your child's appointment detailing the evaluation. The evaluation enables team members to learn about your child's strengths, abilities and disabilities.

In the morning, when your child is most rested and energetic, physical and occupational therapists will assess daily living skills and movement patterns. Therapists may recommend splints and adaptive equipment, which they can help you obtain. An outpatient therapy program and home program will be designed based on your child's needs and goals. The home program, in which you play a key role, is as important as outpatient therapy. Any information you can bring from your child's current therapists is welcomed and appreciated.

After being evaluated by physical and occupational therapists, other team members will assess your child's condition. Each evaluation determines how to improve your child's quality of life and functioning.

After the evaluation, team members will discuss your child's condition and formulate a plan. This plan will be outlined in a letter to you; a team member will call you to discuss the plan. Copies of the letter also can be sent to other health care professionals involved in your child's care.

What Can the Team Members Do for My Child?

Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists assess how your child performs age-appropriate self-care activities. Can your child feed himself? Drink from a cup? Manage finger foods? Move the mouth correctly to eat and drink? Bathe and dress herself? Occupational therapists assess all these things, plus look at the movement and functional use of the arms and hands through play activities. For instance, some tasks may involve using crayons and blocks, providing information about your child's perceptual skills and hand-eye coordination. If hand-eye coordination indicates a problem, they may recommend an evaluation from a pediatric ophthalmologist to rule out a vision problem. Hospital occupational therapists will determine your child's activities in regular sessions at home and welcome communication with his personal occupational therapist. If your child has not received occupational therapy before the team evaluation date, a routine occupational therapy program may be recommended.

Physical Therapists
Physical therapists assess your child's current therapy program, movement and equipment. Spasticity often limits movement in children with cerebral palsy. Physical therapists will observe your child's movement and guide their arms and legs through the range of motion. If your child uses braces, walkers, crutches, wheelchairs or other devices, please bring them during the evaluation. Physical therapists will determine their appropriateness. They also may make other suggestions to make activities of daily living easier. As with occupational therapy, a note from your child's regular physical therapist about current therapy and goals will help MCG's team tailor the treatment. Regardless of your child's treatment, physical therapy will help retrain the muscles to move in more normal ways.

Pediatric Orthopedists
Pediatric orthopedists use surgical and non-surgical means to maximize your child's potential. With their expertise of the musculoskeletal system and the effects of muscle and tendon imbalances on structure and function, they assess gait, limb position, sitting and difficulties in daily activities. Through surgery, bracing and other means, they correct muscle and joint contractures and correct deformities of the musculoskeletal system common to children with cerebral palsy, including spine deformities, hip dysplasia, foot deformities and problems with the upper extremity. Pediatric orthopedists communicate extensively with other members of the treatment team to provide the most appropriate care for your child.

Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialists
Pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists assess the whole child to maximize function. They strive to help your child maximize his independence at school, at home and in the community, considering medical needs and psychological and social development. Rehabilitation physicians prescribe specific wheelchairs, braces, adaptive equipment, augmentative communication devices or therapies to enhance your child's independence. They are specially trained to understand the medical problems associated with disabilities, including bowel and bladder control and spasticity. Oral medicines, injectable medicines and pump-delivered medicines to reduce spasticity are commonly prescribed. These physicians also serve as advocates for your child within the school system and with insurance companies. They act as a resource and educator to you and your primary care physician, helping you make the most of your child's abilities and anticipate future needs.

Pediatric Neurologists
Pediatric neurologists assess the cause of your child's cerebral palsy, evaluate developmentally, coordinate testing for educational problems and determine a course of treatment. Various medications can help control symptoms of cerebral palsy, such as spasticity, and your child's neurologist will tailor the treatment to the child's needs. If your child is determined to be a candidate for surgery, the pediatric neurologist will refer you to a Medical College of Georgia pediatric neurosurgeon.

Pediatric Neurosurgeons
After evaluating your child, pediatric neurosurgeons may recommend either selected dorsal rhizotomy (surgery to reduce spasticity) or implantation of a pump to provide continuous drug therapy into the spinal fluid surrounding the nerves to relax the muscles. Working with your pediatric neurosurgeon, you can determine whether these options are suitable for your child and your family.

Nothing But the Best
You can be sure your child will receive the best care available anywhere at the MCG Children's Medical Center. Our team looks forward to working with you to maximize your child's potential.

For more information, contact Pediatric Neurosurgery at (706) 721-5568

Questions and Comments to Bill Hamilton 

 June 06, 2005

Department of Neurosurgery  |  Medical College of Georgia