Spasticity Management
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Contributed by William R. Boydston, M.D., Ph.D.
Cerebral Palsy (CP) refers to a nonprogressive disorder in the portion of the
brain responsible for control of muscle tone and movement of limbs. CP is caused
by damage to this portion of the brain when the brain is immature or developing.
Normally, stretching a muscle sends a signal to the spinal cord through sensory
fibers (feeling nerves). This information is relayed to a motor fiber (movement
nerve) that sends a signal to the muscle telling the muscle to contract. The brain
helps limit these reflex contractions to allow more uniform, fluid motor function.
In children with CP, this control from the brain is absent. Muscle tone is not
regulated by the brain which leads to a state of increased tone or spasticity.
With spasticity, certain muscles remain tight or contracted at inappropriate times
resulting in limb stiffness and, potentially, joint stiffness and deformity.
While spasticity cannot be cured, some of the problems associated with spasticity
can be cared for in a number of ways. Some children with CP may never walk, but
treatment can be beneficial in allowing them to care for themselves, work, communicate
and assist others in their own care. The goal in caring for a child with spasticity
is to maximize his functional potential.