What are the orthopedic effects of CP?
(from Dr. Andrew Bowe) As a pediatric orthopedist, I see spastic cerebral palsy most commonly. It covers a wide spectrum of conditions resulting from a brain injury that can occur around the time of birth or shortly thereafter. In essence, it disrupts the balance of muscle functioning. Certain muscles are working too much while others are weaker. This can result in difficulties with the use of upper extremities as well as gait abnormalities. Joint contractures can develop, and over time, bony deformities develop as well. There is also a high incidence of spinal deformity in spastic cerebral palsy.
