What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood disability in the United States, affecting an estimated 764,000 children and adults in the U.S. It is a developmental disorder of posture and movement caused by an injury to the brain occurring during fetal development, during or shortly after birth during infancy. The damage to the brain cannot be repaired. Children with this disorder will become adolescents and adults with the same disorder without progression of its severity.
Each person with cerebral palsy is unique. Depending on the location and extent of the injury, the clinical features may vary from barely imperceptible to severe. Cerebral palsy can affect movement, balance, speech, vision and coordination. The damage to the brain may also result in mental retardation, seizures, and problems with learning, eating and breathing.
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy can be classified and named by the limbs involved or the type of movement disorder. Often, the two are used together, e.g. "spastic quadriplegia".
Classification by limb involvement:
Quadriplegia - all four limbs are affected, from quad meaning four and plegia meaning paralysis, or impaired ability to move.
Diplegia - two limbs are affected, from di meaning two. Although diplegia typically refers to someone whose legs are most involved, the arms may also be affected, but to a lesser degree.
Hemiplegia - one side is affected, from hemi meaning half. Often, the arm is more affected than the leg.
Triplegia - three limbs are affected, from tri meaning three. Usually both legs and one arm are affected. Some clinicians will refer to this type of clinical picture as diplegia with a hemiplegic overlay.
Monoplegia - one limb is affected, from mono meaning one.
Total Body Involvement - this term is used to describe a person who, in addition to the involvement of four limbs, has impairments in speech, vision or cognitive function.
Treatment in the Cerebral Palsy Clinic
While newer treatments are available to reduce the spasticity associated with cerebral palsy, traditional treatments remain the appropriate intervention to correct bony deformities and lengthen tendons and muscles. Physical and occupational therapy are important components of early intervention, helping the child achieve and maintain functional independence in mobility and self-care. Therapy is important at any age to increase mobility, improve endurance or maintain gains achieved following an intervention. Braces and upper extremity splints provide stability and improve function. Crutches, walkers and wheelchairs allow for independent mobility.
The goal of the Orthopaedic Hospital Cerebral Palsy Clinic is to create
a place where children with cerebral palsy can be evaluated by doctors
and physical therapists to treat the complex nature of the disorder.
The Cerebral Palsy Clinic continues to treat referred patients. With the implementation of Medical Treatment Units (MTUs) in the school systems, the Clinic is often referred children from the MTUs when in need of surgery or more intensive treatment beyond the MTUs capabilities. Once treatment is rendered, patients are referred back to the MTUs for follow-up care.
Cerebral Palsy Team
The Orthopaedic Hospital Cerebral Palsy Clinic team includes a pediatric orthopaedist, pediatric neurologist, physical and occupational therapists, social worker, pediatric nurse specialist, dietician, orthotist.
The Pediatric Orthopaedist is the surgeon who specializes in the musculoskeletal system of children, including fractures, trauma, bone diseases and disorders, soft tissue impairments and pediatric spinal deformity such as scoliosis and kyphosis. They manage the problems associated with spasticity and when necessary, provide surgical interventions such as tendon lengthening or correcting a bony deformity. Our physician offers insight into the orthopaedic issues facing both children and adults with cerebral palsy and provide treatments that minimize deformity and maximize mobility.
Mark Wellisch, M.D.
Orthopaedic Surgeon
The Pediatric Neurologist is a physician who specializes in disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles in children. Pediatric neurologists focus on establishing the underlying cause of neurological disorders, including cerebral palsy. They also treat the associated medical problems such as seizures, movement disorders, metabolic conditions and neurobehavioral issues.
Michel Philippart, M.D.
Neurologist
The Pediatric Urologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired urological conditions and diseases in children. The pediatric urologist at Orthopaedic Hospital provides medical management and surgical intervention for bowel and bladder function, one of the most persistent problems this patient population experiences.
Bernard Churchill, M.D.
Urologist
The Pediatrician reviews medical issues and coordinates the general healthcare of the patient, in addition to working with the orthopaedic surgeon for pre-operative assessments if surgery is indicated and overseeing medical issues for hospitalized patients.
Jennifer Balucan, M.D.
Pediatrician
The Physical Therapist is a health care professional trained to assess and treat movement and function. Physical therapists examine muscle range of motion, spasticity, strength and posture and assess their impact on function and mobility. Our physical therapists communicate with community therapists in the design and implementation of treatment interventions and equipment such as wheelchairs and braces. Gait studies at the Kameron Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory are conducted by physical therapists.
Cindy Bailey, PhD, D.P.T., O.C.S., S.C.S., A.T.C., E.M.T.
Physical Therapist
The Occupational Therapist is a health care professional who provides skilled treatment to help individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational therapists give people the "skills for the job of living" necessary for independent and satisfying lives. Our occupational therapist assesses and makes recommendations for treatment of fine and gross motor skills, feeding and oral-motor development, computer use, dressing, bathing and other activities of daily living.
Corey Fitzgerald, M.A.
Occupational Therapist
The Social Worker provides psychosocial assessments, assists with locating community resources and assists in the coordination of schooling and social activities.
Erika Bocanegra, M.S.W.
Social Worker
The Nurse Specialist assists in making sure all medical orders are carried out, and provides case management and nursing assessment for the patient.
Susan Wood-Roche, R.N., B.S.N.
Nurse Specialist
Also part of the core team is a registered dietician and orthotist. The dietician provides assistance in meal plans so patients receive adequate caloric intake for healthy growth and development. The orthotist works with the team to prevent unequal or unbalanced muscle groups which can lead to deformities as the child grows. If a deformity is perceived, the orthotist works with the therapists in bandaging, casting, or bracing to bring the deformed extremity into the proper plane of function to maximize available motor function.
In addition to the Cerebral Palsy Clinic at Orthopaedic Hospital, the resources of UCLA are available at the UCLA/Orthopaedic Hospital Center for Cerebral Palsy, with a team of specialists that treats both children and adults with the disorder.
Visit the UCLA/Orthopaedic Hospital Center for Cerebral Palsy website
Cerebral Palsy Frequently Asked Questions
More Treatments & Services
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Appointment Scheduling
For assistance in scheduling an appointment with the Cerebral Palsy Clinic, please call the Orthopaedic Hospital Physician Referral Service Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at: (213) 741-8330
Insurance
All types of insurance are accepted, including Medi-Cal, CCS, HMO and PPO.
FAX Physician Referrals to:
Children's referrals and authorizations may be directed to the Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Group. Please include disorder information (medical notes), and the parent's daytime phone number. FAX: (213) 741-8311. After receiving a faxed referral or authorization, the Appointment Center will call the parent to schedule a team evaluation.
Additional Information
For more information regarding the Cerebral Palsy Clinic at Orthopaedic Hospital, please call the Physician Referral Service at: (213) 742-6509
click here to email us.
Orthopaedic Hospital
2400 South Flower Street
Los Angeles, California 90007
(213) 742-1000
Map and Directions
Dr. Philippart, neurologist, confers with nurse specialist
Dr. Wellisch examining patient in the Neuromuscular Clinic
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