Is Spastic Hemiplegia Curable?

Spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy is a most common type of neurological condition which leads to paralysis of one side of the body. During the medical condition, the patient experiences issues with muscle control, weakness and muscle stiffness. However, the symptoms vary depending upon the extent of the injury. But you must know there are treatments to get relief. However, for this, you need to consult a good doctor.

Treatment for spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy

The treatment for the medical issue is decided according to the severity. However, here are the top medical treatments one can begin to get relief.

• Physiotherapy

The physiotherapist will help the patient build muscle strength, learn to balance and coordinate his movements. Also, the treatment will help stress out that tight muscles.

• Modified constraint-induced movement therapy

In the therapy, the unaffected side of the body by hemiplegia is restrained. The treatment works by forcing the weaker side to improve muscle control and mobility.

• Assistive devices

The physical therapist sometimes recommends the patient to use a wheelchair, braces, walker or canes. Using the assistant devices, the patient can improve his mobility and muscular control. However, it will be beneficial to enquire from your health care professional to know which device will be the best.

• Mental imagery

Imagining the movement of paralyzed body section can help activate the brain section responsible for movement. Mental imagery therapy is combined with other treatments for better results.

• Electrical stimulation

In this treatment, the medical professional use electrical parts to stimulate muscular movement. The electricity makes the affected muscles contract which helps produces the imbalance on the affected side of the brain.

Is hemiplegic curable?

For spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, there is no cure as of now. It is a non-progressive disease as the symptoms do not worse. The patient, when undergoes adequate treatments, can improve his symptoms and live his life using mobility aids.

Consult a doctor for the best treatment

To guarantee the symptoms does not worsen, it will be beneficial to visit a good medical centre. Trishla Foundation is here to help the patients get the best medical care. We have the best medical team to guarantee our patients get a treatment that suits their specific case.

How spastic Diplegia is different from other forms of cerebral palsy?

Complications during pregnancy, such as intrauterine infection, head injury, toxemia etc, have a great relationship with the birth of premature babies. In these cases, there is the possible occurrence of cerebral palsy. These children are more susceptible to disturbances in motor, mental, sensory and emotional development.

Also called little’s syndrome, spastic Diplegia cerebral palsy is an infantile neurological pathology. Children born with this disease have paralysis that can be more or less severe in the lower limbs and also in the upper limbs. Little’s syndrome is one of the diseases known as “motor-brain diseases “that includes non-progressive neurological pathologies.

How it is different?

There are different types of cerebral palsy. The spastic form is the most common. Other types of cerebral palsy can lead to abnormal movements, or problems with balance and walking. Spastic cerebral palsy consists of problems with movement and balance, due to an injury to the motor cortex of the brain.

Spastic quadriplegia: Also called spastic quadriplegia, it is a specific type of spastic cerebral palsy that refers to the difficulty in controlling movements in the arms and legs.The facial muscles and the core of the body are unable to perform their normal functions due to the intense amount of muscle tension.

Spastic Hemiplegia: Usually, the upper extremity is more affected than the lower extremity & one side of body is affected. This form impairs the brain’s ability to send proper nerve signals to the muscles of one side of body.

Spastic Diplegia: This form of cerebral palsy affects both legs, rather than the entire body. About one in five children with CP have spastic Diplegia, which is also known as little’s Disease. Children with this form will show signs and symptoms in their early years, and many of the same symptoms that a child with quadriplegia will exhibit.

What are the symptoms of SDCP?

The first signs of Diplegia cerebral palsy are usually detected only after 1 year of age, when the first abnormalities of psychomotor development can be assessed. Little’s syndrome is characterized by other symptom – Stiffness of the lower limbs, Muscle spasms, Difficulty in making certain movements, An abnormal attitude of the limbs at rest, Reduced mobility, Bone deformities that often lead to pain in adulthood, and Difficulty in fine motor skills.

Cerebral Palsy Symptoms- What to Observe to Identify CP in Children?

Cerebral palsy is a prevalent neurological disorder affecting many children. While almost every variety of this disorder has similar symptoms, there are a few differences depending upon your child’s type of cerebral palsy.

Spastic cerebral palsy symptoms

This disorder is commonly found in 70% of the cases. The disorder occurs due to an injury to the brain during pregnancy or after birth. The symptoms of the disorder include.

• Failure to have proper development

• Stiff and spastic muscles

• Abnormal movements

• Speech problems

• Difficulty in coordinating and controlling the movement of the muscles

• Poor muscle coordination of tongue and mouth

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy symptoms

This disorder results in abnormal involuntary movements. The disorder greatly affects the muscle tone, which varies and changes frequently. The symptoms of the disorder include-

• Repetitive twisting motions

• Irregular movements

• Slow movements

• abnormal posture

Ataxic cerebral palsy symptoms

This disorder affects about 2.6 % of cerebral palsy patients. The cerebral palsy symptoms in babies and children include irregular movements, which are caused due to damage to the cerebellum. Further, the disorder can greatly impact various body parts, including fingers, body, legs, hands, muscle coordination, etc. The disorder symptoms include

• Unsteady balance

• Slow eye movement

• Shaky Movements

• Scanning speech

• Poor coordination

Mixed cerebral palsy symptoms

In the case of mixed cerebral palsy, the child has symptoms of two or more variety of disorders. However, the symptoms depend on the mix of cerebral palsy disorder your child has. For instance, he can have the symptom of dyskinetic cerebral palsy with spastic cerebral palsy.

Associated problems

In addition to the cerebral palsy symptoms mentioned above, a child with cerebral palsy can experience the following problems

• Delayed development and growth

• Muscle related issues

• Seizures

• Gastrointestinal problems

• Urinary problems

• Cognitive and behavioral problems

• Hearing and vision problem

• Speech problem

Get your child the best treatment

Trishla Foundation is a renowned medical center help to known to help kids with cerebral palsy. The center professionals are highly skilled and can identify the disorder’s root cause and treat it efficiently using the latest technology and equipment. So visit the center to get your child the best help possible.

A Basic Measure for Early Identification of Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy in Infants

Spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy can be diagnosed at earliest of six months of age, ensuring earlier treatments and better results in the long run. However, it is quite challenging to evaluate the difference between developing infants and those with cerebral palsy hemiplegic. One should consider visiting an academic Medical center to know the results as they have the right tools and specialized training that can aid in diagnosis.

However, a recent study has provided some solutions to these problems. Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination’s asymmetry score, when the same gets used along with exam’s total score, ithelp’s in differentiating the typically developing and spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy children.

How to Identify Early Symptoms?

A study was conducted on 74 confirmed CP infants, which included 35 hemiplegia patients. It was noted that 13 children with hemiplegia had a HINE score of more than 63, which does not usually indicate cerebral palsy.

The researchers calculated a separate asymmetry where an item on the HINE test had an asymmetric between right and left side was given once score. It was noted that children with Hemiplegia scored at least six and max 17. Moreover, no child with diplegia had their asymmetry more than three, while the children with quadriplegia had scores between 0 to 15.

So, it was concluded that HEIN scores less than 63 with an asymmetric score above 5 had 1.8% sensitivity and specificity of 100% in differentiating typical development with hemiplegia. But one should know even if this code does not suggest a diagnosis, the child within asymmetric or higher than five should take professional help.

The cut-offs are essential for using HINE. Moreover, the care providers can take the exams in 5 minutes free of cost. Using the results, one can quickly get that child help and attention they need.

Take Help from the Right Medical Care

Spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy with proper care and attention can be treated. However, you need to identify the symptoms, the earliest possible to provide your kid the right treatment. Trishla Foundation, for years has been offering special care to the children with CP. Their industry- leading treatment and professionals have already helped many children in one or other throughout their treatment. Their help is all your child needs right now.

The Perfect Use of Botulinum injection for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Botulinum toxin has great role in meaning In the mechanism of action and the effects of botulinum toxin, a great many options are open for the medical experts. On this occasion we want to specify some aspects of this treatment in children with neurological injuries. Although the spasticity approach in adults and children shares specific characteristics, there are notable differences that are important to keep in mind. As we know, “children are not adults when they are little.”

Objectives Of Botulinum Toxin

Since the 1990s, botulinum toxin has been used to treat focal spasticity associated with cerebral palsy, becoming the drug of choice for dynamic contractures.

The goals we seek to infiltrate the spastic muscles vary according to the child’s global circumstances.

When we approach the lower limbs, we usually aim to:

In children who walk: achieve a more functional gait pattern (less expensive, less pain, more speed, and more physiological options)

In children as a whole: improve posture, facilitate hygiene,and prevent hip subluxation or dislocation.

For cerebral palsy in children, Upper limb infiltration in children is common but less frequent than lower limb infiltration. Generally, we will seek to facilitate movement and provide greater functionality.

Prevent, correct or stop deformities: prevent hip dislocation, knee flexion deformity, and equinus contracture

Facilitate the learning of transfers, maintenance in standing, etc.
Facilitate the activities of daily life or: dress, hygiene, etc.
Relieve pain.
Improve sitting posture in a chair or car.

How many doses of Botulinum Toxin do you usually use?

In children, the toxin doses used vary greatly, and are calculated based on:

child weight
muscle size
infiltrated place
degree of spasticity
toxin type or brand

At what age do you usually start using Botulinum Toxin? The current trend is to start infiltration at an earlier age, to prevent the onset of fixed contractures and to start correct motor learning as soon as possible. In lower limbs, it is recommended to start the application in children from 1.5-5 years. The upper arm usually infiltrates after four years. But we utilize the application of plaster after botulinum toxin to increase the effect of botulinum toxin and to manage contracture. Post injection therapy & bracing should be good enough to have a long-lasting impact. With the latest medical report, we should botulinum toxin cautiously due to side effects of the permanent weakness of the muscle. So if it is really necessary then it should be used and repeated use should be stopped.

Things To Remember About Cerebral Palsy

A most common neuro-motor disability in childhood is Cerebral Palsy (CP). This is a motor disability where the mind finds it difficult to coordinate muscle and joint movements. A person’s ability to maintain posture and balance, along with the ability to move is hampered because of this. Additionally, once you start hunting for the best doctor for cerebral palsy in India, you will realize that this disease has to be treated by a number of health professionals in tandem.

CP has been found to be more common amongst boys than girls. About 75-85% of children affected by CP have spastic CP, meaning that their stiff muscles could result in awkward movements. Some children also have conditions in addition to CP, which are known as co-occurring conditions which include epilepsy, speech disorder, problem in deglutition, dribbling of saliva, mental retardation etc.

Treatment for every individual is different

One method of treatment cannot be applied to all. Every individual condition is seen to be different, and so is the type of treatment. As a result, the best doctor for cerebral palsy in Indiaalso gets in touch with other medical professionals for optimum treatment of the individual.

When CP is usually diagnosed?

In most cases, CP is diagnosed within the first year after birth. However, if the child’s symptoms are mild, it becomes difficult to accurately diagnose until a few years have passed by.

Keep a watch out for the following early signs of CP-

Treatment for every individual is different

One method of treatment cannot be applied to all. Every individual condition is seen to be different, and so is the type of treatment. As a result, the best doctor for cerebral palsy in India also gets in touch with other medical professionals for optimum treatment of the individual.

When CP is usually diagnosed?

In most cases, CP is diagnosed within the first year after birth. However, if the child’s symptoms are mild, it becomes difficult to accurately diagnose until a few years have passed by.

Keep a watch out for the following early signs of CP-

1) Ages 6-12 months:

• Constantly feels stiff
• Head falls back when picked up while lying flat on the back
• Body appears floppy
• Legs cross or become stiff when picked up
• Not responding to family member including mothers.
• Sucking & deglutition problem
• Abnormal movement disorder
• Persistence of abnormal reflexes

2) Ages > 1 year :

• Finds it difficult to bring hand to mouth
• Is unable to bring hands together
• Reaches out with the help of only one hand
• Is unable to roll over in either direction
• Inability to do sitting, crawling & knee walk
• History of epilepsy, recurrent chest infection, inability to speck, dribbling of saliva.
• Along with symptom mentioned above in the age group of under 6 months.

The best doctor for cerebral palsy in India will not just look at the main symptoms of this disorder but associated ones as well. These may include feeding difficulties, seizures, learning disorders, attention deficit and more.

Exercises For Children With Cerebral Palsy

One of the best methods to enable locomotion in a body affected by Cerebral Palsy (CP) is to undertake regular exercises. The advantages of such exercises include enhanced muscle tone, better flexibility, more strength, trunk balance, and mobility. Even though exercises also help to strengthen the bones, a CP patient must exert himself or herself only under the supervision of the best doctor for cerebral palsy in India.

A normal baby can move its limbs continuously without any efforts, but a child diagnosed with CP will find these spontaneous movements difficult. Such babies are relatively inactive as compared to other babies, and so exercises are essential for them. Motor and sensory exercises are essential for the development of cognitive skills. Even parents can spend time with CP children and help them perform exercises, but only after consultation from the expert.

Examples of exercises for children with Cerebral Palsy

1. Leg and arm cycling are excellent for such children. This exercise can be performed indoors with the help of stationary machines. Children will be able to strengthen their muscles through this.

2. Stretching is an important exercise, but caution should be taken. Strenuous exercise can break the weak bone and causes muscle soreness. Stretching exercise for a long duration can over lengthen the few important muscles. Stretching is only needed in spastic and short muscle only. All kind of stretching exercise is prohibited in dyskinetic & ataxic CP.

3. Joint mobilization is a very common exercise practiced in cerebral palsy. It is a traditional form of exercise and does more harm than benefit to these children so it should not be practiced.

4. Simple activities such as climbing stairs, creeping, crawling knee walk, picking & transferring the object is help a lot these children.

5. Child play can be encouraged by allowing play with musical, light, vibratory & different textured toys. This exercise is important for the sake of developing touch and improving functional activities.

6. The use of the following tools help in physical therapy:

Free weights
Resistance bands
Electric stimulation of muscle
Hot and cold packs
Exercise balls

7. Lying down on the tummy helps to stretch hips at the front, and gravity enables the knees to be straightened. If the child lies with arms up to the sides it helps stretch the shoulders. Time spent on the tummy aids in sitting balance and development of head control Parents must make it a point to be involved with physical therapy after consultation from the best doctor for cerebral palsy in India. It will certainly help to motivate the child.

How To Help Children Affeceted with Cerebral Palsy Through Physical Exercise?

One of the best ways to relieve oneself of the pain, muscle stiffness and lack of mobility experienced due tocerebral palsy India isphysiotherapy.In fact, the therapy is the mainstay treatment and prevention for future health problems. Special techniques used for rehabilitation of cerebral palsy children are NDT, SI, TRP , MRP , Strengthening, stretching exercises & many others, which are very specifically designed for cerebral palsy.

With the use of physical therapy, motor skills are prevented from becoming worse over time. But these techniques are much more useful if applied at very early age. Also the extent to which it can help would depend on the type and case of CP and its severity. Children below two years of age require only physiotherapy but between 2 to six years they may require botulinum toxin injection if spasticity interferes with therapy, after ten years of age if rigidity and deformity develops then it may require a specific surgical technique. But some time general orthopedic surgical techniques may make child to worse. Only highly specific techniques can benefit in some selected 10% children. Also botulinum toxin injection helps in managing spasticity & surgery does correct deformity but these must be added with correct physiotherapy for long term functional benefit.

The sooner physical therapy is started, the better chances a child has for improvement.

Physical therapy is carried out through a variety of physical exercises. These exercises help in improvement of the following:

Posture
Pain management
Flexibility
Endurance
Balance
Strength
Overall health
Gait
Functional capacity

Benefits of Physical Therapy

The types of exercises depend upon type of patient, and thereby have specific benefits as per type of cerebral palsy. Some benefits of exercises for cerebral palsy India are:

Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT): These are very important especially in early age children who have not gained developmental milestones. We cannot simply jump for any kind of therapy. The child has to pass through all the stages in due course of time

Sensory integration (SI): cerebral palsy kids frequently have problems with any of their senses like touch, vision, hearing etc. If brought at early age before the maturity of brain they can be benefitted by SI techniques.

Strength training is done for week muscles, stretching is done to tight muscle but should be gentle

Tone relaxing posture (TRP): if muscle tone is high in particular muscle group, some specific techniques are used to relax the tone so as to aid for exercise. Specially designed for dyskinetic CP.

Yoga posture & meditation : Few Yoga posture & meditation technique are very helpful in relaxing the child and keep flexible & healthy joint.

Cerebral palsy in children can be classified on the basis of location of movement issues:

1) Monoplegia- There is movement problem in one limb

2) Hemiplegia– Movement restricted to one half of the body

3)Diplegia– Movements restricted to either the torso or legs

4) Quadriplegia– Movements in all the four limbs and trunk are affected

Causes and Treatments for Child’s Cerebral Palsy in India

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the term used to denote a non-progressive but frequently changing motor impairment syndrome that impacts children up to 2.5 years. Children suffering from this find it difficult to carry out alternate and coordinated movements, as well as in keeping the body in an anti-gravity posture. 2 to 2.5 cases of these are observed across every 1000 live births in India. Unfortunately, there still is no permanent cure for CP, but one can certainly keep the symptoms under control and lead a normal life over time.

One very important misconception must be cleared here – Cerebral Palsy is not a hereditary disease. It occurs due to either abnormal development of the brain or due to damage to the brain at an early age. Such problems are usually visible at the time of pregnancy, or just after birth. The exact cause of this disease is still not completely known. The lists of factors that may lead to abnormal development of a child’s brain include:

• Asphyxia, or loss of oxygen supply to the brain as a result of difficult labor or delivery

• Brain infection in new born

• Fetal stroke, where a disruption takes place in the blood supply of the developing brain

• Mutation of genes that enable brain development

• A severe head injury to an infant due to a fall or a motor accident

• Maternal infections that cause problems for the developing fetus

Treatment of Cerebral Palsy

Children who are affected by Cerebral Palsy need to be given long term care by an entire medical team. This team includes one or more of the following professionals:

• Occupational therapist- To provide therapy to the child for the development of daily skills

• Speech-language pathologist- To work with the child in case he or she has difficulties with swallowing, speech or language

• Pediatrician- To supervise overall medical care and the treatment plan

• Orthopedic surgeon- To treat muscle and bone disorders

• Pediatric neurologist- To diagnose and treat children with brain and neurological disorders

• Mental health specialist/Psychiatrist- To help the child mentally handle his or her disability

• Developmental therapist- To help the child develop social and interpersonal skills as per age

• Social worker- To help the child’s family plan transitions in care