Is Cerebral Palsy Treatable or Curable?

Understanding Cerebral Palsy and Its Treatment

If your child has just been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you are probably still absorbing what the doctor told you and wondering what it means for their future. Those questions deserve clear answers, and this page walks through what a diagnosis does and does not mean.

Currently, there is no cure for cerebral palsy (CP), but there are several treatments for the condition. Depending on the severity, many individuals with the movement disorder can expect to live full, active lives. Management of CP-related symptoms can include a wide range of techniques including medicine, therapy, surgery, and intervention.

At The Beasley Firm, we represent individuals who have children diagnosed with cerebral palsy after experiencing birth trauma. Our dedicated legal team can help you understand your rights after a CP diagnosis including whether you have the right to compensation. If your child has cerebral palsy related to a birth injury, contact our office at (215) 866-2424 to schedule a free consultation. 

Is Cerebral Palsy Treatable?

Cerebral palsy is treatable, even though it cannot be cured. Many parents hear their doctor describe the condition as treatable but not curable, and that distinction is an important one. Treatment cannot reverse the brain injury that caused the condition, but it can improve a child's mobility, communication, comfort, and independence. Most children with CP work with a care team that adjusts the treatment plan as they grow.

Is Cerebral Palsy Preventable?

A significant number of cerebral palsy cases are linked to preventable errors in prenatal, delivery, or neonatal care. When a physician fails to monitor fetal distress, respond to oxygen deprivation, manage maternal infections, or address a difficult delivery in a timely and appropriate manner, the resulting brain injury may have been avoidable. This is why a thorough review of the medical records is so important. An experienced attorney can help determine whether your child's cerebral palsy resulted from a deviation in the standard of care that a qualified medical team should have prevented.

Is There a Cure for Cerebral Palsy?

While scientific advances are being made every day, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. It is the most common childhood motor disability affecting approximately 1 in 345 children in the United States. The movement disorder can affect many aspects of a person’s life including their mental, physical, and emotional development. 

Most medical professionals agree that early screening and intervention is key to developing a robust treatment plan. The treatment plan developed by your child’s medical team will be designed to help manage the symptoms of CP. If your child is diagnosed with the condition after complications during labor and delivery, it may be worth discussing what happened with a cerebral palsy lawyer.

Does Cerebral Palsy Go Away?

Unlike some medical issues, cerebral palsy does not go away. It is a lifelong disorder. Treatment can help manage symptoms and conditions related to the disability. Research from agencies such as the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) continues into potential cures for the widespread childhood disorder. 

Treatment for CP-related conditions and symptoms includes:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Oral medications
• Orthopedic surgery
• Assistive devices
• Pain-management drugs

Early diagnosis combined with a comprehensive treatment plan is generally the best course of action. While cerebral palsy is not degenerative meaning that it will not get worse over time, the symptoms of the condition may change throughout the years. 

What Is the Prognosis for Cerebral Palsy?

The life expectancy of a person with CP can vary greatly depending on the type and severity of the condition. A person with significant paralysis may live into early adulthood, while a person with greater mobility may be expected to live substantially longer. 

Prognosis also depends heavily on severity, and doctors can often gauge it early. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that sitting independently by age 2 is one of the strongest predictors that a child with cerebral palsy will go on to walk, along with the absence of visual impairment, intellectual disability, and seizures.

According to NINDS, the majority of people with cerebral palsy will experience premature aging by the time they are in their 40s. The premature aging is likely the result of “extra stress and strain the disease puts” on their bodies. Additionally, many individuals with CP experience serious mental and physical health conditions such as depression and post-impairment syndrome.

Was Your Child Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy After a Birth Injury?

Was your child diagnosed with CP after birth trauma? You might be entitled to compensation for their injuries. Contact our office at (215) 866-2424 to schedule a free consultation. Our lawyers have been helping birth injury victims and their families for over 60 years. Let us help you today. Call now to speak directly with an experienced attorney.