Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive disorder of the central nervous system (brain) usually due to an injury to the brain around the time of birth. CP results in varying degrees of motor milestone delay and dysfunction. Cognitive involvement varies with the degree of central nervous system involvement. The incidence is 7 per 1,000 live births. Orthopaedists often help care for people with CP when they have problems with being too “rigid” or “floppy.” The medical evaluation is coordinated with the primary care physician and/or a pediatric neurologist. The goals of treatment are to maximize their functional abilities and self-care skills as well as to promote functional independence. Depending on the age at presentation, motor skill development, and cognitive disability, four types of treatment are typically used including: physical therapy, orthoses (braces), medication to control spasticity, and surgery.

More information:

• American Cerebral Palsy Information Center: http://www.cerebralpalsy.org
• American Academic for CP and Developmental Medicine: http://www.aacpdm.org
• National Institutes of Neurologic Disorders: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/cerebral_palsy.htm
  Medline Information: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cerebralpalsy.html
• United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia: http://www.ucpga.org