What is Cerebral Palsy

What is Cerebral PalsyCerebral – Brain

Palsy – weakness, paralysis or lack of muscle control.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a permanent physical condition that affects movement. Its effect can be as mild as just a weakness in one hand ranging to almost complete lack of movement.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy can occur before, during or after birth (up to 5years of age) while the brain is developing.

It can be caused by:– Trauma (accidents, near drowning)– Infection (German Measles while pregnant or

encephalitis when young)– Problems with pregnancy (lack of oxygen,

premature, low birth weight)

However in 40% of cases the cause is unknown.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is classified by three things:1. The type of movement or muscle tone2. The body part or parts effected3. The degree of severity

Types of Movement or Muscle Tone

Spastic Cerebral Palsy: This is the most common about 80% of people have this type. The muscles are tight and movement is stiff and awkward

Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy: Least common, about 10%.• Athetosis: The person has uncontrolled, writhing,

floppy movements; and• Dystonia: The person has intermittent, alternating

muscle contractions resulting in twisting or repetative movements.

• Ataxia: Movements are shaky (tremor) and there are problems with balance and coordination

Mixed: A combination of 2 or more of the above

The body part affected

Hemiplegia: • Difficulty moving and using one side of the

body. The arm is often more affected than the leg. The affected side can be smaller due to tight muscles and a lack of growth.

• Neglect of affected side, resulting in lack of use.

• Problems reaching and grasping with affected hand.

• Lack of feeling on the affected side of the body.

• The person usually has a bent arm (flexed) and the hand is fisted. The leg is stiffened and they walk on tiptoes.

The body part affected

Diplegia:• Difficulty moving the lower

part of the body due to stiffness of the legs• Difficulty straightening fully at the hips• Difficulty with balance when standing

or walking• The person often has a tilted head and

shoulders back in an attempt to achieve an upright position, creating an exaggerated curve in the lower back. When walking they move the trunk excessively to compensate for stiffness of the legs.

The body part affected

Quadriplegia:

• All four limbs affected• Trunk, neck and head often affected• The person often has problems controlling the

mouth and tongue muscles.• Individuals generally are unable to walk and either

are unable, or have extreme difficulty in fine motor tasks.

• Can develop scoliosis (curvature of the spine), hip dislocation, bladder and bowel problems.

The severity

Cerebral Palsy can be classified by how severe it’s effects on movement and muscle tone are

• Severe • Moderate• Mild

All three areas (movement, body part and severity) are then joined together to classify or describe the type of Cerebral Palsy eg: Severe spastic hemiplegia.

Effects of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy can effect: • Mobility and balance• Posture and growth• Communication & language• Fine motor control and coordination• Eating, drinking and swallowing• Personal care – dressing, bathing, toileting• Perceptual difficulties• Concentration and attention

Other associated conditions

• Intellectual disability = 50%

• Epilepsy = 33%

• Sensory – Sight = 40% - Hearing = 10%

Facts about CP

• The rate of Cerebral Palsy is about 2.5 children per 1,000 live births each year in W.A.

• Worldwide there are about 15 million people with CP• In Australia approx 20,000 people have CP with about

2,000 living in WA

Misconceptions about CP

• “Cerebral Palsy is contagious” It is not a sickness or disease.• “Cerebral Palsy is progressive”. The damage to the brain does not get worse, but

the effect on the body can result in progressive deformities.

• “Cerebral Palsy can be cured”. Although the damage to the brain cannot be cured,

therapy and medical intervention can assist clients to maximise potential and enhance quality of life.