Cerebral Palsy Treatments

Why Choose UCLA Health for Cerebral Palsy Treatment

The UCLA Health Cerebral Palsy Center brings together doctors who specialize in the orthopedic complications of cerebral palsy. We care for children and adults, focusing on reducing pain, improving movement and supporting long-term independence.

Treatment plans reflect the latest science in orthopedic care and center on what matters most to you or your child. Whether that’s walking more comfortably, joining friends in activities or keeping up with daily tasks, our team helps you reach your goals.

Cerebral Palsy Treatments 

Care begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand your or your child’s needs. This information enables us to recommend the most appropriate therapies and services.

Personalized treatment plans may include: 

Spasticity management

Spasticity happens when muscles remain unusually tight because the brain can’t send the right signals to relax them. This tightness makes it harder to move and, over time, may cause bone and joint problems.

Spasticity management may include:

• Oral medications: Many different medications help reduce spastic movements that interfere with daily functions. We often start treatment with oral medicines.
• Botulinum toxin (Botox® and Dysport®): Injections into tight muscles block the nerve signals that cause spasticity, loosening muscles so movement is easier.
• Intrathecal baclofen pump: An implantable device delivers baclofen (a medication that relaxes muscles) to the area around the spinal cord. This reduces tightness and helps control spasms.
• Selective posterior rhizotomy: In select cases, surgery on specific spinal nerves may reduce spasticity. We may refer you or your child to a neurosurgeon to see if this option is appropriate.

Therapies and equipment for cerebral palsy 

Our orthopedic team may recommend treatments and equipment to improve movement and function, including:  

• Assistive devices: These devices help you or your child perform everyday tasks. They may include communication aids, wheelchair adaptations, walkers and positioning tools. 
• Orthotics: These devices support natural movement. They may include braces to improve lower extremity alignment or splints to help position hands and arms.
• Physical therapy: This service increases strength, flexibility and motor control. It usually includes in-office sessions, along with a prescribed set of exercises to complete at home.
• Occupational therapy: We help you overcome challenges with daily tasks. Some therapists specialize in areas such as feeding therapy for children with sensory issues. 
• Speech therapy: This service improves language and communication. Speech therapists can also assist with difficulty swallowing or eating.

Therapies for involuntary muscle movements

Some adults and children with cerebral palsy experience sudden muscle tightening or movements that are jerky and unpredictable.

Treatments that relieve these symptoms include:  

• Oral medications: Medicines taken by mouth, such as baclofen or diazepam, can calm involuntary muscle contractions, making movements more controlled.
• Deep brain stimulation: A neurosurgeon implants a small device that sends pulses to the brain to help regulate movements.

 Monitoring bone and muscle development in children and adolescents 

As children with cerebral palsy develop, muscle imbalances can affect their bones and joints. Monitoring from our orthopedic specialists helps catch problems early and includes:

• Hip surveillance: Muscle imbalances can pull unevenly on the hip, increasing the risk of a dislocation (the top of the thigh bone slips out of the hip socket). Monitoring helps us catch early signs so your child receives timely treatment.
• Spine surveillance: Scoliosis, a sideways curve of the spine, is a common complication of cerebral palsy. If we spot signs of scoliosis, we may order X-rays and recommend early treatments such as bracing. 

Orthopedic surgery for cerebral palsy

When monitoring shows significant changes in muscle or bone development, surgery may help. Types of surgery we offer include: