Can anyone help me figure this out? - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

JellyRJFan · 07-16-2004, 01:38 AM

For the last couple months something about my CP has really been bothering me. I can't figure out if it's just one side, just my legs, all my muscles or what

The thing is, my legs are much more affected than my arms, but my right leg is much more affected then the left. I find it pretty much useless for everything other than walking. My right arm is also much weaker than my left. I often draw both arms up close to my body or cross them, it's very difficult for me to just leave them at my sides, and a lot of the time I clench my fists. I'm trying to figure out if my left side is stronger because it's not affected by the CP or only because I am left handed. I tend to think it's not hemipeliga only because I had both hamstrings lengthened and both heel chords are very tight. If it's only on the right side does it make any sense to have surgeries on the left as well? I really wish that my ortho would have addressed this issue with me, but because I'm not severely disabled everybody just writes me off like there's nothing wrong... now I'm just extremely confused!

What are your thoughts on the matter?

Flycatcher · 07-16-2004, 05:44 AM

As far as why your left arm seems stronger than your right, I think it's probably a little of both. Everyone has a dominant side that gets more use and that makes it a bit stronger. With the addition of CP, at least in my case, it makes that difference even greater.

In my own case, I get really annoying spasms and drop things when I try to use my left arm and hand for delicate, concentration related activities (i.e. carrying drinks, using eating utensils, etc.) - on the other hand, I can carry groceries and do other "pack mule" type things pretty well left handed. My left leg is about as weak as my left arm comparatively speaking because my right arm and leg are unaffected.

I understand what you mean about the leg feeling otherwise "useless" though, over the last several years I've lost a lot of the muscle tone in my left calf and thigh and as a result it's gotten much, much weaker. Visually, there's a major difference in my legs and I go through long periods of self-consciousness about wearing shorts or even snug fitting tee-shirts. I tend to keep my left hand in my pants pocket if I'm just standing around because my forearm never feels like it's fully relaxed (bicep in partial contraction I guess). My left hand clenches into a fist and the forearm and bicep contract anytime I'm over-exerting my right side, almost like a sympathetic strain -- perhaps that's the reason you feel odd about having your arms at your sides as well?

Self-consciousness is one of the things I have the most trouble dealing with and if I feel like I'm being watched or stared at that's sometimes all it takes for the nervous tension to flood over me and turn my slight limp into a noticeable gait. I can't really offer any opinion as to why both hamstrings would've been operated on since I haven't had any of the surgeries, I'm sure others here can offer feedback on that.

I seem to recall that you're 18 now, is that correct? I'd recommend setting your own appointment with the doctor in question and just ask him all the things you have questions about. Explain that your family doesn't like to discuss your CP and you want to understand as much about your health as possible. It's a reasonable request and I can't imagine any decent doctor refusing to answer your questions. If it's possible, it might be helpful if you could go to that appointment alone so you can set the pace of the questioning. By all means make a list of things you want to ask about and take notes if there's something you want to research further after the appointment.

Last week I filed a request with my former PCP for copies of my medical records and I'm trying to track down my old pediatric records (I have them, I just can't remember where I put them!). I filed the request form, paid $20 for the copy service and received my entire chart in the mail yesterday. It never hurts to have that information as a resource.

Jack

musicmaker650 · 07-16-2004, 12:28 PM

Hey people,
weight lifting... a little at first, then gradully increase. Girls, don't worry about getting big muscles. Try concentrating on the weak side first. Just keep at it! You will get stronger and the spasms will subside. I worked with a trainer for just 1 year. I was 150 pounds and I could lift 350 in a bench press for 10 reps. I even worked on my legs, but they could never stand the 350 plus my weight. My waist was 32 inches and my shoulders were 44 inches around. This was 10 years ago. I was 44. My current weight is 180 and my waist is 34. I doubt if I could lift my weight 10 times now though...

Exercise is the key. Don't sit around and let your spasms get worse, because your good muscles are getting weaker

JellyRJFan · 07-16-2004, 09:14 PM

Jack, I am 18 and I've been thinking about setting my own appointement with my surgeon for a while. I think I'll do that this week. The difference in size in my legs is pretty noticable, especially because my left side overcompensates for my right. I try to build my right leg up, but whenever I do exercises it seems my left side always takes over. I don't get that self concious unless I know someone is staring at me. I try to walk "normally", but that just stresses me out and my limp gets even worse. I end up looking pretty ridiculous trying to walk!

I haven't had too many spasms since I stopped training for this 6 mile walk I did for the March of Dimes, but just today my left hand was going out of control (there I go with the left side again... I'm so confused!). I think it's because I started this new job, in which I have to do a lot of filing. It seems to be the repetitive motion along with the muscle exhaustion that sets off the spasms. I've also noticed that if I keep my arms/legs in an unusual postition for a long period of time and then try to move them I get spasms.

Musicmaker- are there any special exercises you do in your workouts? I try to build up my right side, but my left side always takes over. Even if I'm only working with weights on the one side, the other side starts straining and contracting as well and then I end up with a buch of pulled muscles. I'm actually thinking about getting a personal trainer or getting back into PT when I start college in a about month.

JellyRJFan · 07-16-2004, 09:41 PM

As I was reading through the "battling fatigue thread, I decided to look into the Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics and I came across this

- diplegia: pts have more extensive involvement of the lower extremity than the upper extremity;
- most diplegics will eventually walk;
- IQ may be normal, strabismus is common;
- gait is typically characterized by a crouched gait, toe walking, and flexed knees;
- heel cord lengthening alone may exacerbate crouched gait;

That sounds like me. My legs are worse than my arms, as I have stated. I had 2 surgeries to correct my strabismus, and before I had my hamstrings done I was unable to straighten my legs, thus making me walk in a slightly crouched position. This still doesn't help me with the left side... I'm going to see if I can find out more. Diplegia doesn't affect both sides, does it?