What is Spastic Cerebral Palsy?

Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type of cerebral palsy. The muscles of people with spastic cerebral palsy feel stiff and their movements may look stiff and jerky. Spasticity is a form of hypertonia, or increased muscle tone. This results in stiff muscles which can make movement difficult or even impossible.

1. What is the cause of spastic cerebral palsy?
2. What is the life expectancy of someone with spastic cerebral palsy?
3. Is there a cure for spastic cerebral palsy?
4. Can spastic cerebral palsy walk?
5. What does spastic cerebral palsy look like in infants?
6. What famous person has cerebral palsy?
7. Can a person with cerebral palsy have a baby?
8. Can spastic cerebral palsy get worse?
9. Who is a spastic child?
10. What condition is spastic?
11. Do babies with cerebral palsy smile?
12. Does cerebral palsy affect the eyes?
13. Do babies with cerebral palsy sleep a lot?

What is the cause of spastic cerebral palsy?

Spastic cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the motor cortex and the pyramidal tracts of the brain, which connect the motor cortex to the spinal cord. Understanding the function of the motor cortex and pyramidal tracts helps to explain how damage to these systems affects movement in those with spastic CP.

What is the life expectancy of someone with spastic cerebral palsy?

Generally, children born with cerebral palsy can expect to live between 30 and 70 years on average. Those with the longest life expectancies usually have more mobility, better medical care and adaptive equipment and greater autonomy and independence. There is no cure for cerebral palsy and the condition lasts for life.

Is there a cure for spastic cerebral palsy?

Although there's no cure for any form of cerebral palsy, there are a number of treatment options available to help control the symptoms, including: Physical therapy, as well as language, occupational, and behavioral therapies. Medications to control symptoms, such as muscle spasms or seizures.

Can spastic cerebral palsy walk?

Most (about 75%-85%) children with CP have spastic CP. This means that their muscles are stiff, and as a result, their movements can be awkward. Over half (about 50%-60%) of children with CP can walk independently. About 1 in 10 children identified with CP walk using a hand-held mobility device.

What does spastic cerebral palsy look like in infants?

Babies with cerebral palsy are often slow to roll over, sit, crawl, or walk, and may look weak and have poor head position.

What famous person has cerebral palsy?

Geri Jewell, Comedian, Actress, Author, and Speaker

Geri Jewell is an actress, comedian, author, and motivational speaker who received national recognition for being the first person with cerebral palsy to be cast in a prime-time television series, starring in NBC's The Facts of Life and HBO's Deadwood.

Can a person with cerebral palsy have a baby?

Currently, no scientific evidence suggests that people with cerebral palsy can't have children of their own. In fact, numerous people all over the world with cerebral palsy have successfully given birth to healthy children.

Can spastic cerebral palsy get worse?

CP does not get worse over time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person's lifetime. All people with CP have problems with movement and posture.

Who is a spastic child?

Spastic CP is the most common. Kids with spastic CP have stiff muscles. These may be in the upper part of the body, the lower part, or both. They can be on one or both sides of the body. Other types of cerebral palsy can lead to writhing movements (dyskinetic CP) or problems with balance and walking (ataxic CP).

What condition is spastic?

Definition. Spasticity is a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle, which might interfere with movement, speech, or be associated with discomfort or pain. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to nerve pathways within the brain or spinal cord that control muscle movement ...

Do babies with cerebral palsy smile?

Social and Emotional Milestones

Emotional and social milestones are not always as easy to assess, but delays in these can also indicate a child has cerebral palsy or another developmental disorder. A 2-month old baby should be able to smile at people and use simple self-calming techniques.

Does cerebral palsy affect the eyes?

Visual impairments are strikingly common among children with Cerebral Palsy. Common visual conditions that are found in children with Cerebral Palsy include strabismus, cataracts and refractive issues. Strabismus is a severely turned eye that makes it impossible for both eyes to work together.

Do babies with cerebral palsy sleep a lot?

A child with cerebral palsy may struggle to get the hours of sleep they so desperately need. It may take hours for them to fall asleep, or your child may be waking multiple times a night. They could be up for long stretches, or can't calm down without needing you there.