Question:
My daughter has CP and is very stiff. I was told CP is not a progressive disorder, but she is definitely worse now than she was a few years ago. What do they mean by saying it's not progressive?

Reply:
Your question is a valid one. In Cerebral Palsy the lesion in the brain, due to illness, injury or reduced blood supply is non- progressive. However, the condition itself keeps changing.

As your daughter is growing, the stiffness may be increasing and I guess you are finding it difficult to dress or carry or take her to the toilet, especially since her weight is also increasing.

So though it is nice to know that the lesion in the brain is non-progressive, it doesn’t help you much on a day-to-day basis. The abnormalities in her posture and movement make routine tasks very difficult for both of you.

I suggest you take it step by step. It will help if you can get your child to sit for longer periods of time with minimum support .This will help to strengthen her spine and also encourage her to move her arms as much as possible while sitting. You could switch on some music and dance with her!

If possible, help her to stand with support and also encourage her to take weight on her legs (when you help her to a standing position, put your feet gently on top of hers – this helps to steady her and encourages her to take her own weight). This will strengthen her legs and also help to stretch her feet into the right angle, effectively preventing a 'foot drop'.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to write in again.

Yours,

Aarti Nair
Physiotherapist