Best Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

CP is not considered to be a curable condition and the word “management” is used more often than “treatment”. However, there is much that can be done to lessen the effects of CP and to help people with CP to lead independent lives.
If you have a child with CP it is easy to be overshelmed by the number of professionals involved with your child and the different management and therapy options. Not all interventions are appropriate for each individual and, as a parent, you are the person to decide what is right for you and yor child. Some parents like to involve their child in every option that may be helpful; others decide that having family time is more important than spending hours each week on therapy or the stress involved in going through another bout of surgery. Some adults with CP consdier the therapy and/or surgery they had as children was very helpful; others quit therapy in adolescence and stay as far away from doctors and therapists as they can.
Therapy
Physical Therapy (PT) aims to help people achieve their potential for physical independence and mobility. PT includes exercises, correct positioning and teaching alternate ways of movement such as walkers, bracing or handling a wheelchair.
Occupational Therapy (OT) designs purposeful activities to increase independence through fine motor skills. OTs help children to use adaptive equipment such as feeding, seating and bathroom aids.
Speech Therapy aims at improving communication. A child may only need help to overcome a slight articulation problem, or she may not be able to communicate verbally and may require a non-verbal communication system. Alternate communication systems can include synthesized and natural spech devices.
Music Therapy uses music for the treatment of neurological, mental or behavioural disorders.
New therapies are being developed all the time. Contact your local Cerebral Palsy Association for information on alternative treatments.
Orthotics, Casts, and Splints
Most children with CP will be prescribed orthotics, casts or splints to supplement their therapy programs. These should be custom made for the child and help to provide stability, keep joints in position, and help stretch muscles.
Medications
A child may take medication for conditions associated with their CP, such as seizures. Drugs may sometimes be prescribed for severe spasticity or painful spasms. Spasticity can be reduced by nerve blocking injections. A recent development is the infection of botulinum toxin ("Botox") into a spastic musle group. This can reduce tone for several months.
Surgery
Orthopaedic and soft-tissue surgery can help to counter the damaging effects of spasticiy on the spine, hips and legs. Surgery can lengthen or transfer tendons, enabling the child to move more easily. When the child has finished growing, bone surgery may help to reposition and stabilize bones.

Neurosurgery involves surgery on the nerve roots which control muscle tone. Selective posterior rhizotomy aims to reduce spasticity by severing some of the nerve roots in the spine.