Cerebral palsy (CP)
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a clinical syndrome with a postural or movement disorder that arises in or before the first year of life. CP is not progressive, meaning the disorder does not worsen. The prevalence of children with CP in the Netherlands is around 2 per 1,000 births. There are three different types of CP of which spastic paresis is the most common (80-90%), in addition there is dyskinetic paresis (9%) and atactic paresis (2%), it is also possible for a child to have a combination of the types.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a clinical syndrome with a postural or movement disorder arising in or before the first year of life. CP is not progressive, meaning the disorder does not worsen. The prevalence of children with CP in the Netherlands is around 2 per 1,000 births. There are three different types of CP of which spastic paresis is the most common (80-90%), in addition we know dyskinetic paresis (9%) and atactic paresis (2%), it is also possible that a child has a combination of the types.
If you are unsure whether a paediatric physiotherapist can help you, feel free to contact us and together we will see if we can play a role in this.
Obstetric Brachial Plexus Laesia (OPBL)
Obstetric brachial plexus lesion, is also known as Erbse paresis. It is a lesion that occurs during birth due to a strain of nerve network of the arm and shoulder region. The severity of the damage can range from a mildly sprained but intact nerve to a totally ruptured nerve. Recovery depends on the degree of damage.
The prevalence of children with OPBL in the Netherlands is around 1-3 per 1000 births. In the Netherlands, this is about 400 children a year. Of which about 70% recover spontaneously. In children with OPBL, paediatric physiotherapy is used as the first tool to stimulate spontaneous recovery.
Paediatric physiotherapy in an infant with OPBL
Paediatric physiotherapy treatment in infants focuses on the loss of muscle function and the prevention of contractures (joint restriction). Here, advice is given focusing on the child's handling and positioning and exercises are given according to a special method to elicit activation of the less active muscles. In addition, the paediatric physiotherapist gives advice to stimulate the affected arm and promote motor development.
Paediatric physiotherapy in the older child with OPBL
When there is no spontaneous recovery, surgical intervention may be a good solution. The paediatric physiotherapist can help rehabilitate after this surgery and will work with the child to practise activities of daily living and provide exercise therapy aimed at improving arm/hand function, improving mobility and building muscle strength.
If you are unsure whether a paediatric physiotherapist can help you, feel free to contact us and together we will see if we can play a role in this.