Neurological disorders refer to conditions that affect the nervous system, leading to cognitive, physical and emotional symptoms. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurological disorders that impact a person’s posture and movement. Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common of the group; spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy is the most severe of this diagnosis.
By learning about spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, you can gain a better understanding of its impact and how treatment, such as rehab therapy, can be an important step in improving a person’s overall quality of life.
Read on to learn more about spastic quadriplegia CP, such as how it impacts the body and potential risk factors. Then we’ll discuss how Ability KC’s programs can help people with spastic quadriplegic palsy.
6 spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy facts
Spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy is also known as spastic quadriplegia/quadriparesis or spastic quadriplegic CP. It’s one type of spastic cerebral palsy, meaning that it causes muscle stiffness and reduced mobility.
Here are six facts you should know about spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy:
- People with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy can’t walk independently
All types of spastic CP can impact a person’s ability to walk comfortably due to stiff muscles. However, spastic quadriplegia usually has the least amount of mobility in the legs when compared to other types of spastic CP, resulting in little to no walking ability. Not only does it cause stiff muscles, but the condition can also lead to the tendons shortening over time and weakening the abductor muscles.
Individuals with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy often use assistive devices, including power wheelchairs and walkers, to help them move around.
- It can limit overall body functioning
There are approximately 600 muscles in the human body. Spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy can affect every part of a person’s mobility due to stiff muscles interfering with everyday functions throughout the entire body. Difficulty walking is a prominent symptom; in addition, people with this disorder can also have difficulty with:
- Hand mobility
- Speaking and swallowing
- Holding their head upright from decreased neck muscle tone
- It can cause seizures
Seizures are a common symptom for people with spastic quadriplegic CP, especially children. Research shows that 28.7% of children with spastic quadriplegia experience seizures. While seizures are possible for all types of CP, they tend to be more prevalent for those with spastic quadriplegic CP.
- It’s linked to moderate to severe intellectual disability
If a person has a developmental disability, it can impact their cognitive and behavioral abilities. This often interferes with their independence. Approximately 25% of all children with any kind of spastic cerebral palsy experience severe developmental disability symptoms.
A person with spastic quadriplegic CP can have intellectual disability symptoms, including difficulty with the following:
- Communicating with others
- Understanding what’s being said to them
- Reading and writing
- It’s caused by damage to the motor cortex on a developing brain
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain that usually occurs during or before childbirth. For children with a type of spastic cerebral palsy, the problem stems from the motor cortex, which is the part of the brain that controls movement in all four limbs.
The following are potential factors that increase the risk of a child having a type of cerebral palsy, including spastic quadriplegic CP:
- Multiple births at once
- Fever or infections during pregnancy
- Giving birth before 37 weeks
- Low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds)
- There is no cure, but treatment can help symptoms
While research hasn’t found a cure at this time for spastic quadriplegia, there is still hope for a person with the condition to work toward having the best quality of life they can through the right treatment options. As will be explored in the next section, function can be improved in a variety of ways, including:
- Medication
- Various therapeutic approaches
- Surgery
- Assistive devices and technology
How spastic quadriplegic CP is treated
The goal of treating spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy is to improve the body’s function and mobility as much as possible. This means reducing physical symptoms, developing skills needed to complete everyday tasks and gaining a sense of independence.
When your loved one is diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic CP, often by the time they turn 2 years old, you can work with their doctors to determine the best treatment plan options to fit their needs and overall goals.
Here are treatments that are often used to help individuals with spastic quadriplegic CP:
- Physical therapy — A physical therapist plays a key role in helping people with spastic quadriplegic CP by increasing their range of motion and muscle control for improved mobility on all four limbs. Physical therapy can include strengthening exercises, gait training, and increasing functional mobility, such as standing and sitting.
- Occupational therapy — With the help of an occupational therapist, a person with spastic quadriplegic CP can gain a sense of independence and autonomy through carrying out everyday tasks that can be difficult to complete due to reduced mobility and intellectual abilities.
- Speech therapy — Speech therapists help people with spastic quadriplegic CP learn how to communicate so they learn how to communicate for improved connections with their support system. Individuals can also establish and maintain connections with the people around them, leading to a quality support system.
- Medication — It’s possible that your loved one’s doctor will prescribe medication for them. The proper medication can help alleviate their symptoms to improve their overall quality of life. Medications that are often prescribed to individuals with spastic quadriplegic CP include muscle relaxants and anticonvulsants.
- Assistive devices — The use of technology in cerebral palsy treatment has allowed individuals to gain confidence in their own abilities. It allows them to carry out everyday functions despite their challenges. Assistive devices include mobility assistance, such as wheelchairs. There are also communication aids, such as electronic communication boards.
Find help with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy at Ability KC
When a person is diagnosed with a condition, becoming educated on the subject should be one of the first steps on the wellness journey. It can be difficult to fully engage in treatment if you don’t know the ins and outs of it. Now that you’ve learned some of the most important facts about spastic quadriplegic CP, you can gain a better grasp on how treatment is approached.
Spastic quadriplegic CP is the most severe type of cerebral palsy, but it doesn’t define the whole person. Our goal at Ability KC is to help patients move along their journey to improve their quality of life. We want them to gain confidence in their abilities.
Our outpatient medical rehabilitation can help patients with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy in many different aspects. It includes:
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Assistive technology
- Wheelchair seating and positioning
- Medication management
- Vital stimulation for swallowing and feeding
Our intensive services are personalized to fit each individual patient. We consider their challenges and goals to achieve sustainable progress. We’ll collaborate with you and the patient’s providers to create an individualized treatment plan by integrating the right environments and education. We want them to have the safest and most effective experience possible.
Ability KC is a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF). We also have a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment. You can also fill out our Build Your Plan questions designed to help our team better understand your needs and assist you in figuring out your next steps with us.