Cerebral Palsy Flashcards
describe what kind of disease cerebral palsy is
a persisting qualitative motor disorder
at what age does cerebral palsy present
before the age of 3
what are the mechanical symptoms seen in cerebral palsy
fatiguability, weakness, poor balance, sensory deficits
what are the neural symptoms seen in cerebral palsy
spasticity, hyperreflexia, clonus, co-contraction
describe what causes cerebral palsy
it is due to non progressive damage to the encephalon(brain) occurring before the growth of the CNS is complete
what is the migration index and what does it show
migration index = % of hip outside the hip joint
higher it is the higher the risk of hip dislocation
describe what classification system is used in cerebral palsy
GMFCS, 1 to 5, 1 being better movement and 5 poor movement
higher GMFCS = higher risk hip dislocation
what are some causes of cerebral palsy
genetic problems, brain malformation, intrauterine infection in pregnancy, prematurity
describe the commonest expression of cerebral palsy (80% cases)
spastic cerebral palsy with injury to motor complex, upper motor neurons or corticospinal tract
resulting in weakness and spasticity that may worsen with age
what does monoplegic, diplegic and hemiplegic mean
monoplegic = affects one limb hemiplegic = affects one upper and one lower limb on same side diplegic = affects both legs only
what are some MSK problems that can develop in cerebral palsy
joint contractures, scoliosis, hip dislocation
what is involved in the non-surgical treatment of cerebral palsy
physiotherapy, splintage to prevent contractures, baclofen, botox injection into spastic muscles
what surgical treatments can be useful in cerebral palsy
hip excision/replacement, surgical release joint contractures, correction severe scoliosis, joint fusions, tendon transfers
