Pediatric cerebral palsy can be treated when detected in time

  Pediatric cerebral palsy varies depending on the cause, and early symptoms are usually seen in infants within 6 months of age. If parents find that the baby is soft and seldom moves on its own, it may be hypotonia, and if the body is too hard, it may be hypertonia, and if these symptoms persist for more than four months, it is likely to be cerebral palsy. At 4 months of age, they cannot open their hands, cannot lift their heads in prone position or sit with their heads upright, and cannot reach out to grasp objects. If parents find that their baby looks different from a normal child, they should not judge at home whether there is something wrong with the child, but should bring the child to the pediatrician for an early examination.  When a child with cerebral palsy is diagnosed, early scientific and standardized treatment is the key to determine their future mobility and quality of life. Treatment is more effective if it is started within the first half of the child’s life. If the child is already at risk for cerebral palsy at birth, it is important to start the prevention and treatment of cerebral palsy right after birth, so that the child may not develop cerebral palsy, or even be cured and not have any sequelae.  Rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy is a long process and cannot be rushed. Sometimes the effect is not visible in a short period of time, do not be discouraged, you must persist. Especially for young children, don’t miss the opportunity, as long as you persist in the treatment, you can definitely make progress. Children with mild cases can fully recover their motor functions after rehabilitation. It has been clinically proven that the treatment of cerebral palsy cannot be completed by just one surgery and one period of rehabilitation, but must be done through various surgical procedures (such as FSPR, SPN, carotid artery epicardial dissection, etc.), orthopedic surgical treatment, as well as such a multi-method comprehensive treatment approach as pre- and post-operative rehabilitation training to achieve the ideal treatment effect.  Rehabilitation training: Rehabilitation training, including preoperative rehabilitation and postoperative rehabilitation, is the most important treatment method for cerebral palsy patients, and it is especially important in early treatment. Through rehabilitation training, the brain tissue can compensate for the damaged parts in the process of maturation and differentiation, so that the motor function of the child can be improved. It is also important to emphasize that it is better to do this under the guidance of a professional rehabilitation physician – including active activities and passive massage, which can be done by instructing the child to sit, stand, walk, carry things, and other exercises and massage by a professional rehabilitation physician according to the child’s age. One thing to remember is that no matter what kind of rehabilitation exercise should be gradual and consistent, not too hasty and excessive, otherwise it will also cause damage, parents should not rush themselves, but also teach their children not to rush. If the child’s limbs are in a long-term curled-up state causing contractures of the limbs that can’t be pulled apart, or stubborn limb spasms that prevent training, surgery must be performed by a specialist. However, the postoperative effect is also ensured by strengthening the residual muscle strength. Some children with preoperative spasticity can stand, but after surgery the muscles are weak, and they cannot stand up because they have not been properly rehabilitated.  Surgery: Surgical treatment plays an important role in the clinical treatment of children with cerebral palsy. Especially when various non-surgical treatments are ineffective, surgery becomes an important tool.  1. FSPR (functional selective spinal nerve heel dissection): this is the most effective procedure for spastic cerebral palsy, which has the highest incidence so far. FSPR only selectively blocks part of the posterior nerve root fibers, without affecting the anterior nerve roots and motor functions that govern muscle movement. The specific site of surgery can be determined by the patient’s condition: surgery in the lumbar spine can resolve lower limb spasticity, and surgery in the cervical spine can resolve upper limb spasticity.  2. Power artery epicraniectomy (also called common carotid artery peri-sympathetic net dissection): it can improve the blood supply to the brain of children with cerebral palsy, promote the development of the brain, reduce the release of excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain, and regulate the excitability of the nerves; clinically, it can improve the overall brain function, enhance intelligence, memory and language ability, reduce the muscle tone of the limbs (especially the upper limbs), and facilitate slurred speech It can also reduce the muscle tone of the limbs (especially the upper limbs) and facilitate the relief of symptoms such as slurred speech, inflexibility of hands and feet, unstable walking and drooling. Generally speaking, this procedure is more suitable for children with tardive dyskinesia.  Orthopedic surgery: In the past, it was the main surgical treatment, but because of the failure to effectively release the spasticity and the high recurrence rate after surgery, it is now mainly used as a treatment for the fixed deformity of the limb after FSPR, and it has become an indispensable means to correct the deformity, restore the motor function and improve the ability to take care of oneself in daily life.