Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a permanent disorder of movement and posture attributed to a non-progressive disturbance in the developing brain; the neurological lesion is static, but tone-related musculoskeletal problems and associated impairments require proactive, lifelong multidisciplinary care.
Definition
Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation, attributed to a non-progressive disturbance in the developing fetal or infant brain. The motor disorder is often accompanied by impairments of sensation, cognition, communication, behaviour, epilepsy and musculoskeletal function.
First principles
A static brain lesion can cause evolving disability
Cerebral palsy is attributed to a non-progressive disturbance in the developing fetal or infant brain. The lesion itself does not progressively destroy the brain, but growth, abnormal tone, weakness and immobility can produce secondary contractures, hip displacement, scoliosis, pain and reduced function. Management therefore aims at function, participation, comfort and prevention of avoidable complications rather than trying to reverse the brain injury.
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