Treating Spasticity in Cerebral Palsy

Dr. Judy Gooch, a rehabilitation doctor talks about treating spasticity in people who have cerebral palsy. Treating spasticity can improve function and quality of life in people who have cerebral palsy.

[@cyonpryce2493]

I have been living with CP and recently decided to get out my shell create a channel to share my experience. Howver, your videos has brought so much light to it all. #great

[@whitneymikkelsen4619]

I wish I could find a doc like you. I'm 54 and my balance has taken a drive lol.

[@kittyface6060]

Hi.

[@rebecatacy307]

Thank you for your very helpful videos. With Covid-19, we were not able to send nursing students to rehabilitation facilities to observe rehabilitation techniques with patients. Your videos helped us to be able to include visualization of the typical conditions they may have seen, had they been able to observe in person.

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

Wonderful. You're welcome.

[@PathfinderARA]

I don't know Dr. Gooch, but I like her common sense approach in treating spasticity. I have cerebral palsy myself, and over the course of my life I have learned each one of us are completely different. Some of us respond better to different treatments. Therefore, doctors and therapists often need to think out of the box. It's like putting together a patchwork blanket with lots of different therapies and medicines coming together. The ultimate goal should be functionality leading to independence.

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

This is so well stated: "The ultimate goal should be functionality leading to independence."

[@muhammadyahya8254]

good explaination

[@handeb8847]

Spasticity is getting difficult to manage as you grow up..your spasticity level may be increase.contractures and deformities may make your walking harder.weight management is a part of life.you avoid putting on weight too much because your weakness of leg muscles..Stay active as much as possible.Do not give up ..keep on exercising..

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

Great advice. Thank you!!!

[@sarahbeara7084]

This is so true though! I have cerebral palsy and as an adult my mobility has been declining due to the difficulty I have with managing my spasticity. I started going for walks during lockdown and when the weather gets warmer, I want to continue. It’s stress relieving and it helps me to keep my energy levels up and improve my mobility, like the saying “a body in motion tends to stay in motion.” But I know that stretching is a part of exercise, which is the difficult part. I have stretches I do but they are difficult because my muscles are just so incredibly tight they don’t want to stretch it seems. I am planning to see a therapist who has experience working with spastic related physical disabilities when the pandemic is over and getting a personalized treatment plan because I don’t want to be frustrated by stretching anymore.

[@israalawadh7113]

Mashallah that’s was more than enough for me , my 1 years boy has grade 2 polymicrogyria in his brain doctors said that he might be the only person in Kuwait with this diagnosis.it caused him spastic cp in his limbs while he control his head mildly , still can’t sit on his own . I really wish we could come to you whatever the cost

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

He may be the only one with polymicrogyria, but he would not be the only one with spastic cerebral palsy. There must be some good pediatric physiotherapists in Kuwait. We have more videos on the Utah Neuro Rehabilitation channel that might help. Check out these: Strengthening the core to move better, stretching tight ankles.

[@nooralalawi6453]

I'm a physio student who's doing a research about CP treatments and this video helped me a lot, thank u so much keep doing your videos

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

Thank you for your input. If you have any good ideas for videos let me know.

[@nooralalawi6453]

@@UtahNeuroRehabilitation if you could talk about the most used outcome measures for CP patients and in other common neuro disorders that would be a great idea

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

Okay, I will put it on my list. thank you

[@binmohammed6001]

Hi please can u help me in this issue. My two years old son is cp child n he is still unable to hold n stable his neck. He has partial neck holding please can u suggest mE neck holding excercises for him I'll really thankful to u for this. May GOD bless u

[@mrsmunozk6994]

Utah Neuro Rehabilitation My brother, age 49, is dealing with weakness and spasticity in his legs and as of this week has lost his job due to it. He’s hesitant to get surgery as his scars from his childhood Achilles surgery started tearing 2 years ago and took nearly 1 year to close up. I fear without the daily activity his job provides his muscles will deteriorate more. I’m trying to help him make a plan. Can please you add information about specific exercises that may help and if supplementing with leucine is beneficial?

[@karenmariecarsamaniego4894]

My daughter has mild CP. She has undergone abductor release and hamstring lengthening. She is now taking baclofen and is using AFO. This video helps me understand her condition better. I hope that you would be able to see her one day. It may be impossible as we are located in the Philippines and has no means of going to your area.

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

It sounds like she has experienced medical providers.

[@karenmariecarsamaniego4894]

@@UtahNeuroRehabilitation yes. they are great! But is Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy better than doing the abductor release and hamstring lengthening? Because some say that there may be a need for her to undergo the surgery (hamstring lengthening) again if tendons become shortened again.

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

Selective dorsal rhizotomy does lower spasticty a lot. But it is a tricky decision for this procedure. You lower spasticity , but also sometimes spasticity is beneficial if a person has weak legs. If you take away all the spasticity you can unmask weakness. Daily stretching (there are videos on the Utah Neuro Rehabilitation channel on this) can help. Also, injections of botulinum toxin and/or phenol can reduce spasticity and decrease the need for repeat surgeries.

[@karenmariecarsamaniego4894]

@@UtahNeuroRehabilitation thank you! i appreciate all the information that you provided me!

[@kayladunlap928]

i have mild cerebral palsy im 24 and ive had all kinds of surgery and afos thourgh out the years my legs hurt a lot even with all of the treatment ive had

[@dannahdageno2157]

Doc good day for you nice explanation I have my adopted daughter can I ask you is their a risk or side effect for too long to use of this baclofen for spastic cerebralpalsy she is 14 year old already

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

Many people have used baclofen for many years. We do not know of serious long term side effects.

[@Racer1991]

Mam can you plz tell me .I will send you the xray of the baby .plz..and tell me how can we treat her ...

[@yilongmusk9665]

I am 19 and have a wrist contracture due to Cerebral palsy,I also had one in my legs that was lengthened,is someone most likely able to regain wrist mobility and fluidity in that hand through surgery ?

[@yilongmusk9665]

Also my wrist crunches while moving past its usual natural rotation? What could it be

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

Wrist and hand surgery for people with cerebral palsy is really complex. Have you seen a hand surgeon (with experience with cp) or a physiatrist (with experience with cp).

[@chamamuwowo6571]

I can't afford all that medication or pumps but I will continue with physiotherapy. That's what is currently available in my country.

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

Physiotherapy with a daily home strengthening and stretching program is the most important thing you can do.

[@chamamuwowo6571]

@@UtahNeuroRehabilitation I just want my baby to be well. Currently physiotherapy classes are closed due to covid 19. And I have to work so I do want home stretch here and there... Thank you for responding 👍

[@Light-so2sj]

My son is 9 months old and he can stand on his legs wuth assistance for 1 min even though his neck muscles are a little bit weak. Do you think (medicaly) he can walk normally when he do physical therapy?

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

That is really hard for me to know without seeing him. How is his sitting?

[@adeleyeahmed3870]

Please, can your center provide treatment for someone abroad.

[@zhanetashala9229]

Hi . My son is premature 30weeker he is 13 months old and have stiff legs. He sits with a bit bow legs to keep in balance. How would be his future in matters of walking? I am very worried. Thnx for your answer

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

Not knowing him specifically, it is hard for me to assess. However, if he is sitting at age 13 months, that is generally a very good sign for being able to eventually walk. Does he get therapy? It is really helpful to get therapy and to work on trunk strengthening a little each day at home.

[@zhanetashala9229]

@@UtahNeuroRehabilitation thnx for your reply. This friday neurologist said he has cp. Just both legs down part. The rest looks fine . Arms. Communication. Interaction with is and his brother. Sleeping. Eating. He will smert next week phisioterapist . Pls if you could give some tips to do at home to help him in balance and walk Can be possible to walk later on between 2-4years? He is all time standing up everywhere at home . Walking standing in tv bank. Can sit carefully when he is standing up. Can stand up with flat feet. Can pick up blueberry- pincet grapping. He likes to sit W. From all these signs donyou think he seems he will walk?

[@Makif342]

Dr what is baclofin?

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

Baclofen is a medication used to treat spasticity.

[@rinaconsultado4070]

can i ask who know a doctor can help my eldest sister..shes going 51 on augost 2020..our problem she always make pipi..it almost 8 used short getting wet a day because she cannot control her pipi..

[@rinaconsultado4070]

please help us ..so we know wats the medicine my sister will take

[@rinaconsultado4070]

we cannot bring her to the hospital because it also dangerous for her to go from our pandemic problem..

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

Has she seen a urologist?

[@priyankavaish9472]

Ur right maam My son 6 year old Having this problem He is c.p child Fits are also Coming So pls tell What i do...

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

There are a bunch of videos on the Utah Neuro Rehabilitation cerebral playlist that might help.

[@Racer1991]

Mam ,,,Can I send you the Xray of the baby and can you tell me whether she will be able to walk ..coz she is healthy but difficult to walk ..

[@Racer1991]

Mam can you plz tell me .I will send you the xray of the baby .plz..and tell me how can we treat her ...

[@shibasisbanerjee3653]

Spasticity is a curse of life

[@tudormiller8898]

WTF ? Are you an evangelist ?

[@carmeltd]

Spasticity is never a good thing.

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

In some people with weakness in their legs due to an injury to the brain, spasticity can be a help. Spasticity can give them the stiffness needed to walk with weak legs. But mostly it is not a good thing.

[@jalonridley6975]

yea so shutup nigga cause i got CP

[@meganmose]

@@jalonridley6975 be nice

[@tudormiller8898]

Yes! But its not the end of the world for anyone with spasticity.

[@Racer1991]

Mam can you plz tell me .I will send you the xray of the baby .plz..and tell me how can we treat her ...

[@Racer1991]

Mam can you plz tell me .I will send you the xray of the baby .plz..and tell me how can we treat her ...

[@UtahNeuroRehabilitation]

It is more important to look at the person than an xray. Do you have access to any rehabilitation staff in your area: Physiotherapists, Rehabilitation doctors?