Contrary to the established in science and practice opinion about impossibility of effective rehabilitation of the people suffered with Cerebral Palsy (CP) that have breaches of moving activity (spasticity, atony, hyperkinesis), we received results showing that not only general improvements of muscle control and coordination system are possible, but also removal of the Cerebral Palsy diagnosis.
Speaking with our patients we have realized that a
lack of clear understanding of the problems by the
patients could lead to the wrong actions or to
inaction, to be more precise. In such cases, their
state would ultimately become much worse than it
would have been.
The site is oriented to those people who have
problems with a motor function caused by the
affected central nervous system. Nevertheless, we
believe that the site is also of interest to the
specialists involved in rehabilitation.
Whether the rehabilitation of nervous, muscular and moving coordination at Cerebral Palsy is possible?
Such question early or late is put to themselves by the parents of the child, to which the doctors diagnosed Cerebral Palsy. And the conclusion is rather unfavourable. Most vivid example of powerlessness of a modern science at CP treatment are the surgical operations at spasticity in children's age, when congenital defects of the muscle-supporting system are absent. The ideology for realization of operations is clear - availability of spasticity limits mobility in joints, blocks normal bones growth. For example, spastisity of muscles responsible for movements in hip joints frequently result in legs crossing, hampers not only opportunity to go, but also fulfilment of such vital function, as performing of a toilet. Spasticity leads to ecvinovarus of a feets, its deformation, distortion of walking dynamics.
Growing bones, strapped and clutched by spastic muscles are bent, twisted from joints. And, because within the framework of a modern science it is impossible to remove spasticity, physicians have to do operations. They lengthen sinews, normalize bones position. But their growth is continued and all comes back to the beginning. But the harm from operations is obvious. It will come to nobody in mind to lengthen sinews (or to make an incision to them) for dancer or karate-men which can not " to sit in a twine ", however this "twine" was necessary to the person. Even for the healthy person, after traumas, fractures, operations it takes long time to restore normal work of the îïîðíî-äâèãàòåëüíîãî àïïàðàòà, to eliminate arising contractures.
Is it possible that already after operation it succeded to liquidate the spasticity origin? How it is reorganized for organism after artificial change of the muscles biomechanics?
Cardinally to solve a problem of rehabilitation of cerebral palsy it is possible only by removing the origin - abnormality of functional connections of the central nervous system (CNS), instead of cutting what it operates.
Now there are no effective methods for spasticity removing, engaging of inactive muscles in work. Only in USA there are about 500000 people with ICP, 80 % of them to some extent have spasticity of muscles, muscles atrophy, hyperkinetik syndrome.
The official web site of the U.S. National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke provides the following assessment of the prospect
for rehabilitating persons afflicted with infantile cerebral palsy:
Cerebral palsy cannot be cured, but treatment can often
improve a child's capabilities. In fact, progress due to medical research
now means that many patients can enjoy near-normal lives if their neurological
problems are properly managed. Some approaches that can be included in
this plan are drugs to control seizures and muscle spasms, special braces
to compensate for muscle imbalance, surgery, mechanical aids to help overcome
impairments, counseling for emotional and psychological needs, and physical,
occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy. In general, the earlier treatment
begins, the better chance a child has of overcoming developmental disabilities
or learning new ways to accomplish difficult tasks.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/healinfo/disorder/cp/cphtr.htm
This excerpt reflects the current consensus that it is impossible to effect changes to the functional system (formed between neural connections); and persons afflicted with infantile cerebral palsy must adjust to life while making the best possible accommodations for their condition. This is a sentence to the parents of children suffering from infantile cerebral palsy as well as to the children themselves. It is also a barrier placed for specialists who treat this problem. Their orientation is exclusively directed toward identifying means of adjusting to this condition; i.e., therapies that alleviate the symptoms resulting from infantile cerebral palsy. The constant application of medications in order to lessen muscles spasticity, the lengthening with surgical means [for treating] of redundant chorda, and the dissection of nerves that transmit anomalous impulses . . . But the root causes-defects of the brain and incorrect functioning of the central nervous system-are practically left without appropriate therapies.
In the end all is reduced to conductive pedagogics.
This can be understood from an ideological standpoint: If there are scars in the brain itself, then they will remain and nothing can be done with them. Quite often, the attitudes toward persons suffering from infantile cerebral palsy are similar to those directed toward a person whose hand has been amputated-i.e., the hand is gone, and it will not grow back. There is nothing left to do but adapt oneself to life without the amputated hand. Such a comparison, however, is not altogether correct: There is no such thing as a reserve hand; but the reserve of human neural connections is enormous, and certainly in sufficient supply for restoring normal functioning to the body. The problem simply is that doctors do not know how to connect these surplus nerves. But not knowing how to do this does not mean that it is impossible. Today, surgeons can reattach hands and transplant kidneys, hearts and eyes. But not too long ago these operations were considered as science fiction.
Contrary to the foregoing, our results permit this discussion to be moved to another plane - is there an objective limit for restoring of mobility and in what situations?
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