Cerebral Palsy

Plain-language definition

Permanent motor disorders of perinatal origin. Lifelong physiotherapy follow-up.

Signs and points requiring attention

• Muscle tone disorders: spasticity (hypertonia) in the most common forms, but also hypotonia, dystonia (sustained involuntary contractions), athetosis (slow writhing movements). Involvement may be unilateral (hemiparesis) or bilateral.
• Posture and movement disorders: difficulty maintaining stable position, abnormal motor patterns, delay in acquiring major motor milestones (head control, sitting, walking). Functional level varies enormously between individuals.
• Coordination and fine motor disorders: grasping difficulties, gesture imprecision, tremor. These disorders impact writing, dressing, eating and all manual activities.
• Risk of secondary orthopedic deformities from growth under abnormal muscle tension: muscle contractures, hip dislocation, spinal deformities (scoliosis), foot deformities. Prevention essential.

• Unusual joint or muscle pain: may signal hip subluxation, pathological fracture, or joint overuse. Medical consultation necessary.
• Worsening spasticity or appearance of new symptoms: change in medical situation (infection, hidden pain, constipation). Spasticity is not supposed to worsen spontaneously.
• Respiratory or swallowing difficulties: may appear particularly in forms with bulbar involvement or in people with thoracic deformities. Specialized evaluation.

Assessment and care

• Tone and spasticity management: regular stretching, inhibition postures, neuromuscular facilitation techniques. Sometimes combined with medical treatments (botulinum toxin, baclofen).
• Stimulation of motor and functional development: work on motor acquisitions, facilitation of normal movements, learning mobility (crawling, all-fours, walking according to potential).
• Active deformity prevention: correct positioning in bed and chair, daily stretching of at-risk muscles, regular orthopedic monitoring, preventive bracing if necessary.
• Maximum independence development: transfer learning, wheelchair mobility, adapted daily living activities. Work with occupational therapist for environment adaptation.

This information does not replace diagnosis or medical consultation.