Reality of living with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy, also known as spastic diplegia, is one of nine different types of cerebral palsy.

The most common problem with the disorder is muscle stiffness.

It manifests during infancy and early childhood, with the average age of diagnosis being three years old.

Symptoms affect the legs and arms, making them stiff and contracted.

The legs are generally affected more than the arms.

Crawling and walking are difficult and most often, children will walk with a wide “scissor gait.”

Legs can also turn inwards and cross at the knees due to excessive muscle contractions.

Other children may not be able to walk at all.

Physical therapy can help loosen stiff muscles, promote physical healing and wellness, help with balance and posture issues, and build stamina and strength.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy ( SDR) is recommended for some children.

SDR is a newer type of surgery that entails gently cutting the abnormal rootlet nerve fibers in the spinal cord, which can help prevent deformities and improve vision, speech, and leg function. This form of surgery is usually reserved for younger children between the ages of two to four.

There is currently no cure for spastic diplegia or any other type of cerebral palsy.

The disorder itself, however, will never worsen, although associated conditions may increase in severity over time. With early intervention and proper treatment, the prognosis for children with spastic diplegia is favourable.

Source: www. cerebral palsyguidance. com