Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is the term used to describe various movement disorders caused by damage to the brain during pregnancy, birth or in infancy. Sufferers may also have cognitive impairment, delayed mental development and pain that have serious negative consequences for their quality of life and independence. Learn more about the condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

 
There are several treatment options to alleviate the symptoms of spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy:

  • Botulinum toxin Type A injections: reduce spasticity in the affected limbs. The botulinum neurotoxin blocks the nerve signal to the muscle and helps to reduce the muscle contractions. Injections need to be repeated every three months approximately.
  • Surgery: when botulinum toxin injections are not effective enough to help with the spasticity, surgery may be indicated to lengthen muscles and improve mobility.
  • Drug treatments: muscle relaxants such as baclofen and diazepam are effective in the treatment of spasticity. Anticonvulsant drugs are indicated for convulsions.
  • Physiotherapy: is necessary in addition to drug therapies or surgery to help reduce spasticity. Stretching exercises improve the range of movement and prevent sometimes painful muscle retraction and contraction.
  • Splints and orthoses: prescribed by an orthopedic specialist, neurologist or rehabilitation specialist, they can be used to improve posture and walking.

2 to 2.5

cases per 1,000 live births in industrialized countries

Motor, sensory and intellectual impairment

3 to 18 months

the average age of diagnosis

Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm causes involuntary contractions of the muscles of the eyelids. The disorder can also lead to uncontrollable blinking and in some cases sufferers may be unable to open their eyes, which reduces their ability to carry out everyday activities. Learn more about the condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

Cervical dystonia

Cervical dystonia, also referred to as spasmodic torticollis, is a condition with intermittent or continuous painful spasms of the muscles of the neck – and sometimes the shoulder – that cause an abnormal posture of the head. This neurological movement disorder gets gradually worse and the symptoms can also include jerking movements of the head, neck pain, and a raised shoulder. Learn more about this condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

Equinus deformity

Equinus or spastic equinovarus is a foot deformity that most commonly occurs secondary to cerebral stroke (CVA) or cerebral palsy, but may also be a congenital deformity. The pathology causes gait abnormality in patients and is a very real handicap when it comes to mobility. Learn more about the condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

Hemifacial spasm

Hemifacial spasm is an involuntary contraction (spasm) of the muscles on one side of the face. This chronic constricting condition can become almost permanent over time and evolve into a disabling disfigurement and social embarrassment. Learn more about the condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis, or hyper perspiration, is excessive sweating beyond what is needed to regulate body temperature. The areas generally affected by the condition are the armpits, hands, feet and face, but hyperhidrosis may also spread to the entire body. Learn more about the condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

Spasticity

A number of pathologies can be responsible for spasticity, including cerebral stroke (CAV), head trauma, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and others. Constantly contracted, the spastic limbs loose flexibility, causing pain and mobility problems for sufferers. Ipsen has a long history of developing treatment for spasticity. Learn the characteristics and causes of the condition, methods of diagnosis and the various treatment options available.
Sources :

1 Rosenbaum P, Paneth N, Leviton A, Goldstein M, Bax M, Damiano D, Dan B, Jacobsson B. The Definition and Classification of Cerebral Palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 2007; 49 : 1-44, doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2007.00001.x
2 Stanley F, Blair E, Alberman E. Cerebal Palsies: Epidemiology and Causal Pathways. MacKeith Press; 2010.
Last update 13/04/2017