Mild CP and Development of 3 year old

10-25-2003, 11:18 AM

My darling grandson has been diagnosed with mild CP. He was a premature baby, only weighing slightly over 3 lbs when born. Born 2 months early. His calf muscles are very tense and stiff, mostly the right leg.

He goes to a specialist who recommended leg braces and he has worn these braces now for 2 years (about 4 hours a day). As he grows, he is re-fitted for new braces.

Has anyone seen an improvement with wearing the leg and foot braces? We don't see an improvement whatsoever. As a matter of fact, it seems as though as he grows taller and bigger, the leg muscles are becoming more tight and he has more problem with balance, coordination and walking properly with his feet flat.

I've read about botox injections. I've also read about tendon lengthening. What are we suppose to do now at his 3 year old stage, before it's too late to do much of anything to help him?

10-25-2003, 02:51 PM

hi i have mild cp on my right side and just wanted to say. i did not have a brace till i was 19 but i did have to have a lift in my shoe by 14. i wear my brace as muck as i can but it hurts.i dont wear a lift anymore because they hurt also.i did have surgery when i was 11 on my right heal. i would say it is doing good even if you dont see it. i personally got worse slowly but i also never got the help from the right drs like i should of. i wish you the best of luck but i would say the brace is better than nothing .

james

11-09-2003, 09:51 PM

I have a 3 yr old girl with spastic CP and we had her evaluted by Dr. Park in St. Loius,Mo. He has been named one of the best Neurosurgeons in America. He preformed the surgery on our daughter in August and she is functioning much better and inproving week by week. My advice to anyone is to call St. Louis Childrens Hospital and ask for some info on Seletive Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyesofblue

My darling grandson has been diagnosed with mild CP. He was a premature baby, only weighing slightly over 3 lbs when born. Born 2 months early. His calf muscles are very tense and stiff, mostly the right leg.

He goes to a specialist who recommended leg braces and he has worn these braces now for 2 years (about 4 hours a day). As he grows, he is re-fitted for new braces.

Has anyone seen an improvement with wearing the leg and foot braces? We don't see an improvement whatsoever. As a matter of fact, it seems as though as he grows taller and bigger, the leg muscles are becoming more tight and he has more problem with balance, coordination and walking properly with his feet flat.

I've read about botox injections. I've also read about tendon lengthening. What are we suppose to do now at his 3 year old stage, before it's too late to do much of anything to help him?

11-12-2003, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyesofblue

My darling grandson has been diagnosed with mild CP. He was a premature baby, only weighing slightly over 3 lbs when born. Born 2 months early. His calf muscles are very tense and stiff, mostly the right leg.

He goes to a specialist who recommended leg braces and he has worn these braces now for 2 years (about 4 hours a day). As he grows, he is re-fitted for new braces.

Has anyone seen an improvement with wearing the leg and foot braces? We don't see an improvement whatsoever. As a matter of fact, it seems as though as he grows taller and bigger, the leg muscles are becoming more tight and he has more problem with balance, coordination and walking properly with his feet flat.

I've read about botox injections. I've also read about tendon lengthening. What are we suppose to do now at his 3 year old stage, before it's too late to do much of anything to help him?

hi,
i have a 15 year old daughter who as cerebral palsy, i cant help you with the question about braces ( my daughter wears splints)but the botox injections she has had 4 times now, the first time she had them made a real difference to her standing she was alot straighter this lasted about 7 months. the 2nd lot she had wasnt as good the last dose she had was in may her legs are not so tight now but she also had surgery in may so not sure if the botox has worked or not but id say its well worth trying. good luck

11-19-2003, 11:29 PM

I'm not to the stage with my son for braces he is 16 months old. If the braces haven't shown you enough change to be satisfied with the results, I would try the next option. I am right now trying to learn all kides of therapies, medical and alternative, because I am hoping that it all can help. My son's PT just metioned botox for my sons thumbs and I am trying to look into that......I think the thought of getting it is worse then actually getting it. I don't know there is side effects with everything. If anyone has info about botex and the effects on your children will you please let me know
Thanks

12-01-2003, 06:57 PM

My boy is nine with mild CP on the left side. He's worn braces since he was two and has Botox injections several times -- they've been very helpful. Yes, I'm sure the braces are helping. And it's important to keep up with physical therapy exercises, both at home and with the therapist. As the child grows, the whole system changes. I mean even children without cp wake up one day taller and heavier. You'd have trouble negotiating the world if your body were constantly changing. And CP compounds the difficulty of the changes. But those orthotics and those exercises are most certainly helping your grandchild. Thank God for all those things.
Wish us luck. My boy's growing so quickly now we may have to go to serial casting or possibly surgery -- the braces can't keep up with his growth.

Mild CP and Development of 3 year old

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