Health Law

The Importance of a Medical Team to Help Treat Cerebral Palsy

By David Austin

Hearing that your child has cerebral palsy can be heartbreaking. Whether or not the disability was the result of medical malpractice, it can be difficult to hear that your child's life will be altered in the future. According to recent statistics, more than 10,000 babies born in the United States this year will be affected by cerebral palsy. This means that thousands of children will need cerebral palsy treatment to help their neurological disorder.
 
Cerebral palsy affects how the body moves and the posture of someone who has been diagnosed. One of the most common symptoms associated with cerebral palsy is spasticity. Spasticity is linked to muscle weakness and can cause abnormal reflexes in children. This symptom can negatively affect the hip abductor muscles, which can cause cramping. In some cases, spasticity can even force a child with cerebral palsy to have to walk on their toes. This can be dangerous since it increases the child's risk of falling. 
 
Specialty Treatment

Although no cure has been found for cerebral palsy, there are treatments and different types of therapies that have helped better the quality of life of those living with the disability. Highly recommended by doctors who specialize in cerebral palsy is treating the child with a multidisciplinary medical and surgical team. Among the cerebral palsy specialists to be included in this team so the child is getting the best possible treatment are a neurologist, orthopedist, developmental pediatrician, speech therapist, and occupational therapist. These types of specialists can be found at hospitals and centers across the country. Each of these medical professionals specialize in specific areas designated to help those living with the cerebral palsy disability.
 
Doctors and researchers emphasize the importance of working with a medical team to help treat cerebral pasly so goals can be set and measured accurately. Many specialists also believe the treatment given is more effective when there are several people who are well-experienced working one-on-one with the child.

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on February 04, 2010 (boomark / email).