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Symptoms and Treatment of Spastic Diplegia

May 21st, 2009 No comments
by Vance Salver

A form of spastic cerebral palsy is spastic diplegia. Spastic diplegia is occasionally called Littles Disease and affects the movement of the upper or lower half of the body. Spastic diplegia is like other types of cerebral palsy in the fact that it is caused by damage to the brain. In many cases it is unknown how the damage was caused and it is there at birth.

During labor and delivery is when cases of spastic diplegia occur. They occur because of a medical error that could have been prevented. Medical malpractice is common in the United States and some causes are from lack of oxygen, brain injuries such as hematoma, or infections to the mother or baby.

Families of a child that has spastic diplegia can talk to a lawyer and take action to be compensated for medical costs when their childs condition is caused by medical malpractice. Have your case looked at by a professional lawyer who deals with cerebral palsy cases right away.

Symptoms of Spastic Diplegia

There are different symptoms of spastic diplegia that vary with each child and depend on how severe the condition is. However there are some common characteristics of spastic diplegia, such as their muscle tone is tight because of this their muscles are contracted permanently. This is called hypertonia and it not only affects the limbs of the upper part of the body it also affects the legs.

Symptoms of spastic diplegia include:

*Uncontrollable muscle spasms

*Joints dont have much range of motion

*Difficulty speaking and walking

*Tightness of the muscles

*Delayed development

If your child displays any of the above signs, they need to be seen by a physician because it may be spastic diplegia. Tests such as MRI, EEG, and CT scans will be run to determine whether your child has spastic diplegia.

Treatment for Spastic Diplegia

There is no cure for spastic diplegia, which is why it is important to keep up with treatments for your child. Some treatments include physical therapy is used to give more flexibility to the muscles; medications, such as Botox, is given to patients to lessen the spasticity of the muscles. Surgery is used to reduce muscle spasticity.

Medical Malpractice and Spastic Diplegia

Although not every case is entitled to compensation however if you think your child has suffered from spastic diplegia because of medical malpractice, contact a lawyer immediately.

Some incidents that could have contributed to your childs disability are:

*Had baby by C-section or had the help of forceps

*The baby has severe jaundice

*The newborn had seizures right after birth

*An infection in the baby

Contact a lawyer that has experience in these kinds of cases, they will evaluate your case and help you get what you deserve. There are time limitations that vary state by state, so dont delay and call a lawyer today.

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Spastic Cerebral Palsy: The Most Common Type of Cerebral Palsy

May 20th, 2009 No comments
by Jacqui Pilsner

Spastic cerebral palsy, the most common type of cerebral palsy, affects nearly 80 percent of patients with cerebral palsy. Spastic cerebral palsy differs from other types of cerebral palsy in that it affects muscles and joints. There is muscle stiffness and spasticity as well as limited joint movement.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy Types Depend on Areas of the Body Affected

Spastic cerebral palsy has different types and it depends what area of the body is affected. There is a type that affects one limb on their body and that is called Monoplegia. Hemiplegia affects one side of the body. Affecting the legs and the arms is called Diplegia. Triplegia that affects three limbs and affecting all four movements of the limb is Quadriplegia.

Difficulties in Diagnosing Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Sometimes it is easy to determine if a child has spastic cerebral palsy but sometimes that isnt always the case. Usually doctors have the child come to the office to start observing the concerns they may have about the child. Then they may do some testing including MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds. If you think there may be some symptoms in your child similar to those of cerebral palsy then they need to be seen by a physician.

Treatments for Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Treatments are given to children with cerebral palsy depending on their type. Physical therapy will help the child to strengthen their muscles, and decrease spasticity. Children also may have occupational therapy that will assist with fine motor skills like eating. Some patients go swimming as a form of exercise therapy. Children also go through surgeries to increase joint motion and reduce spasticity.

Risk Factors in Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Parents need to be assured they are taken care of when they are in labor and delivery. They depend of the medical staff to make sure everything is going accordingly, so when something happens to their child they want to know why. Sometimes there are cases where the mother or baby gets an infection, lack of oxygen, or the baby has severe jaundice.

The medical staff is responsible for the mother and child, making sure they are alright. Nonetheless there are cases where medical malpractice takes place and families need to know what they can do if this happens. Families can be compensated for damages that occurred during labor and delivery.

Contact a Medical Lawyer

Families need to contact a lawyer immediately if you feel like there may have been medical malpractice involved. There is time limit in cases like these so do not wait to call. Lawyers know your rights and they can get the compensation you need for the care of your child.

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