Cerebral palsy describes a group of movement disorders that appear during the first years of a patient's life and affect the ability to move and maintain posture and balance.
Treatment Goals
There is no cure for cerebral palsy. Therefore, most treatments work to relieve symptoms and improve functionality in patients, the Patient Education Institute explains.
Muscle Relaxants
Muscle relaxants can be effective in treating the spastic muscles that are often a hallmark of cerebral palsy. Examples include diazepam, dantrolene, baclofen and tizanidine, the Mayo Clinic notes.
Injectable Drugs
One muscle relaxant, baclofen, can be pumped directly into the spinal cord via a implanted device for persistent treatment. Patients can also have botulinum toxin injected directly into spastic muscles, Family Doctor explains.
Surgery
Surgery can also be used to treat cerebral palsy. Surgeons may shorten muscles, tendons and bones to make walking and other activities easier. In addition, the nerves to spastic muscles can be severed for permanent relief.
Other Therapies
Physical, occupational and speech therapies are also important for patients, as they teach them to perform routine tasks and to be able to communicate effectively.
