Question
After premature birth, a 5-year-old child with cerebral palsy can start to walk, but the walking posture is incorrect. The right heel cannot touch the ground, and the right knee is inwards curved, with the heel not making contact with the ground. Is it possible to improve this condition?
Answer
Cerebral palsy is a common motor disorder that often occurs before or during infancy. Causes include birth injuries, neonatal jaundice, brain hypoxia, and premature birth, among others. The main symptoms of cerebral palsy are increased muscle tone and difficulty in movement. Severe cases may present with muscle rigidity, spasms, and joints fixed in a curved posture. Milder cases may show poor fine motor skills in the hands and difficulty in walking without the heel touching the ground. Cerebral palsy patients may also have speech and articulation disorders as well as strabismus. About one-third of patients have varying degrees of seizures and intellectual disabilities. For motor development delays caused by cerebral palsy, improvement can be achieved through physical therapy and motor training. I suggest consulting a neurologist or a professional rehabilitation therapist to develop an individualized treatment plan to help improve the child’s walking posture and promote motor development.