Question
My neighbor has a child who has been a cerebral palsy patient since he was a baby. His parents have taken him to various treatments, but his hands and feet are still not convenient, and his speech is not clear. The parents are very anxious, as he is about to start school, and this condition will prevent him from attending school normally. I would like to help them understand more about it.
Answer
Cerebral palsy symptoms typically manifest in infancy, characterized by abnormal posture and lack of motor development. Although the brain damage or abnormal brain development in children is non-progressive, it is accompanied by the repair and development of the brain damage. Treatment plans should aim to maximize the child’s function and improve their quality of life, minimize secondary joint deformities and soft tissue contractures, and delay or avoid surgery as much as possible.