Newest Treatments for Cerebral Palsy

• Cerebral Palsy
• Cerebral Palsy Treatments
• Newest Treatments

Stem Cell Therapy & Botox Treatments for Cerebral Palsy

In recent years, significant medical advancements have opened up new opportunities for treatmenting cerebral palsy. Two of the most promising treatments are stem cell therapy and Botox injections. These innovative approaches show great potential in improving cerebral palsy symptoms and increasing a child’s quality of life.

Even as neuroscience advances our understanding of the developing brain, scientists are still searching for a cure to cerebral palsy. Their success depends upon gaining a better understanding of the condition and learning new ways to reduce symptoms.

While the treatment is still in its infancy, ongoing research supports potential use of stem cells in treating cerebral palsy. Studies indicate that stem cells can help treat brain conditions by helping to regenerate damaged tissue. Clinical trials using stem cells from umbilical cord blood infusion show promise in reducing the severity of cerebral palsy conditions.

Botox (Botulinum toxin) injections are another treatment option that researchers in the field are currently exploring for treating cerebral palsy. Early findings show Botox’s potential for reducing muscle spasticity, increasing range of motion, and suppressing excessive muscle contraction. Botox currently lacks FDA-approval to ease lower-limb spasticity, but some doctors may still use it in an off-label capacity.

Healthcare providers should always use their professional discretion when determining if the possible benefits of these treatments outweigh the risks. These newest treatment methods have shown tremendous promise in improving how children with cerebral palsy live and function.

However, doctors must always keep a child’s specific circumstances in mind when making a determination on how to treat them. If these newest treatment options present too high of a risk, medical professionals should not attempt to perform them. Injuries from medical procedures that showed signs of being unsafe from the start can sometimes count as medical malpractice.

Cerebral Palsy Malpractice Attorneys

Our top rated cerebral palsy attorneys specialize in birth injury medical malpractice. We understand how medical mistakes during delivery can cause brain injuries that permanently impact a child’s life.

If your baby’s preventable birth injuries led to a cerebral palsy diagnosis, don’t hesitate to contact our firm. We can answer difficult legal and medical questions and investigate the facts on your behalf.

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Cerebral Palsy Lawyers
(888) 987-0005

Our Top Rated Cerebral Palsy Lawyers are available to meet you in your home or the hospital.

Our vast network of medical experts and in-house nursing staff and nurse-attorneys gives us the edge over our competition. When we take your case, we assign you with not just an attorney but an entire medical team. This team includes attorneys, experienced nursing advocates, and seasoned medical experts.

We understand the extensive care your child requires to assist with their cerebral palsy symptoms. Your team is available to assist with any day-to-day treatment you or your child may need. This includes assistance with obtaining medical records, scheduling doctors’ appointments, providing transportation, and any other problems that may arise.

We offer all of this on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not pay any fees until after we win your case and secure a settlement. We have an unmatched track record of birth injury results that sets us apart from other birth injury law firms.

Recent Birth Injury Settlement:
Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury settlement against a hospital in which nurses and physicians failed to detect a uterine rupture during delivery causing an HIE event which caused cerebral palsy. Our dedicated cerebral palsy birth injury lawyers recovered $9,200,000 for the family to help with future medical expenses and developmental therapy.

Million Dollar Results

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability of childhood, affecting 3 out of every 1,000 live births. It typically stems from damage to or lack of development in parts of the brain that control movement. This includes regions like the cerebrum, cerebellum, basal ganglia, and thalamus.

Several factors at the time of birth can increase the risk for these brain injuries. Examples include uterine ruptures, umbilical cord problems, and failing to perform an emergency C-section in response to fetal distress. The most common cause of cerebral palsy is a birth injury to the brain called hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Cerebral Palsy disrupts the individual's ability to control movement and maintain posture and balance. Combining multiple therapies and treatments into a comprehensive healthcare plan is often the most beneficial approach for children with CP.

Stem Cell Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Stem cell therapy is emerging as a promising treatment option with the potential to improve motor function and reduce spasticity.

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to change into different cell types and, in turn, form various tissues. These cells are unique because they can transform into specialized cell types such as heart, lung, or brain cells.

To replace damaged brain cells, neurosurgeons must directly administer the neural stem cells into the child’s brain via neurosurgery. The procedure aims to replace damaged, non-functional cells in the brain of a child with cerebral palsy.

Stem cell therapy will use two basic types of human stem cells: Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC) and non-embryonic or "Adult" Stem Cells. Adult stem cells come from the tissues of people already grown and capable of replacing damaged tissue with new cells. Adult stem cells work to regenerate or repair damaged tissues in the child’s brain.

Embryonic stem cells come from the very early embryo and are pluripotent. Pluripotent means the cells have the ability to differentiate into all the different cell types found in the human body. Researchers are currently experimenting with these cell types to create new treatments for a wide range of diseases and conditions.

Stem cells found in the umbilical cord blood are the easiest for medical professionals to access and use for treatment. However, doctors may use stem cells from various sources, including bone marrow and peripheral blood.

Medical professionals hope that using cells from the embryo can bring new and improved treatments to children with cerebral palsy.

How Does Stem Cell Therapy Treat Cerebral Palsy?

Stem cell therapy involves injecting stem cells into the child’s brain or spinal cord, repairing damaged cells and promoting neuroregeneration.

The procedure offers unique benefits to children with cerebral palsy by replacing the damaged and non-functional cells in their brain. The transplanted cells support the remaining cells within the nervous system (neurons and oligodendrocytes cells).

During the procedure, the doctor injects stem cells into the space surrounding the spinal cord via a lumbar puncture. In some cases, the doctor will instead transplant the cells through intravenous infusion into the child's bloodstream.

The treatment must occur for at least 3 sessions scheduled 45 days apart or in 3 consecutive days. The exact number of cells and follow-ups administered will depend on the patient's age and weight.

A child with a more severe classification of cerebral palsy will likely need more than one treatment. For stem cell treatment to work, the injected stem cells must develop into nerve cells called neurons. Neurons have the ability to then build connections with other cells. Once the nerve cells build strong enough connections with other cells, they can deliver messages to the muscles controlling movement.

To increase the efficacy of stem cell therapy treatment, children should follow it up with intensive physical therapy. Controlled movement actively exercises the newly-built neural pathways and can strengthen their bond.

It’s important to note that stem cell research for cerebral palsy is still in its early stages of development. While the treatment will not cure cerebral palsy, it may ease common cerebral palsy symptoms and increase mobility.

What are the Risks of Stem Cell Therapy?

The use of stem cells for treating symptoms of cerebral palsy is still experimental and carries some risks. Some of the risks include tumor formation, developing an infection, or the body simply rejecting the newly transplanted cells.

Besides the immediate risks, researchers still do not know the potential long-term effects of cerebral palsy stem cell therapy. Additionally, the high cost of stem cell therapy and the lack of insurance coverage make it inaccessible to many families. These barriers put further limits on the procedure’s widespread use.

While there is still much to learn about the safety and effectiveness of stem cell treatment, medical researchers remain optimistic. They believe in this treatment’s potential to improve the symptoms and quality of life of individuals with cerebral palsy.

How Does Botox Treat Cerebral Palsy?

Botulinum toxin (or Botox) is the name given to an injectable neurotoxin created by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria is present in numerous natural settings (including the intestinal tracts of fish) and can be deadly when ingested.

When purified, doctors can use Botox safely and effectively to lessen muscle spasticity and reduce overly high muscle tone. This can help children with spastic cerebral palsy move more freely.

Botox reduces spasticity by weakening or completely paralyzing specific muscles or preventing certain nerves from firing.

With Botox injections, children may experience improved range of motion, better positioning of joints and limbs, and fewer spastic movements. One of the benefits of Botox injections is that it can delay surgery to correct muscle and joint problems. Children who experience relief from muscle pain and stiffness with Botox injections can avoid more invasive and risky medical procedures.

How are Botox Injections Used When Treating Cerebral Palsy?

Botox injections for cerebral palsy work by temporarily paralyzing specific muscles, reducing muscle stiffness, and improving range of motion.

Both oral medications and injections have proven to be effective methods for administering Botox to children with cerebral palsy. Children who are experiencing significant spasticity may benefit more from injected medication. This is because it isn’t possible to direct oral medication to one specific area of the body where spasticity occurs.

Before Botox therapy begins, a multidisciplinary team of specialists should complete a full evaluation of the child's gross motor function. This includes observing their range of motion, strength, motor control, and muscle tone.

Once complete, a medical professional will inject the medication directly into the child’s affected muscles. Some children may benefit from Botox for spasticity, specifically children with spastic hemiplegia in their lower bodies.

The procedure often involves multiple injections. Doctors must always first spray the injection site with a numbing substance to minimize any discomfort the child may experience.

After administering the Botulinum Toxin injections, the physician may order a serial casting. This technique uses a series of fiberglass cast wrappings to hold a joint or muscle in a stretched position. Serial casting helps stretch the muscle and improve the position of the child’s extremities.

Doctors will also recommend Physical Therapy as a follow-up treatment to help the child meet their specific goals. The primary physician will typically give further instructions after completing the injection treatment.

What are the Benefits and Risks of Botox Injections?

Most children who receive Botox injections will start to see results within 3 to 5 days. At a maximum, results will appear between three to four weeks after injections. Some benefits a child may experience include:

• Significantly improved gait pattern
• Improvement in positioning and range of motion
• Decreased pain in stiff muscles
• Reduction of spasticity and greater ease in stretching
• Improved tolerance of braces
• Possible delay in surgery until the patient is older
• Improved independent use of the upper extremities

It is important to remember that these benefits will gradually fade over time. A single injection typically lasts three months; doctors recommended the child undergoes follow-up appointments after four to six weeks.

Following Botox injections, the child must return for scheduled follow-up appointments so the doctor can observe the medication's effects. They will then be able to determine whether to pursue further treatment.

Like any experimental treatment, Botox injections do not come without risk. Signs to watch for include chronic pain, temporary muscle weakness, or infection at the injection site.

The FDA has yet to approve Botox injections as a permanent solution for muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.

The FDA requires Botox packaging to include a special black box warning reserved for serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. The label warns of the toxin’s potential to spread beyond the injection side and result in symptoms of botulism.

Symptoms of botulism will appear anywhere between a couple of hours and a few weeks after the injection. Parents and doctors must weigh the risks and side effects against the benefits a child may receive from using Botox.

Did Medical Errors Worsen My Child’s Cerebral Palsy Symptoms?

Cerebral palsy will affect every physical aspect of a child’s life. Regardless of the severity, these children are still likely to need some sort of surgery or treatment in their lifetime.

Cerebral Palsy treatments and therapies can be incredibly expensive and put families into difficult financial situations. No family should have to make the incredibly painful choice between paying for everyday bills and expenses or life-altering treatment.

Families may be entitled to financial compensation when their child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis stemmed from medical mistakes.

Errors during birth, such as delaying an emergency C-section or prolonging oxygen deprivation at birth, can cause irreversible brain injuries. This brain damage at birth can result in movement disorders that culminate in a cerebral palsy diagnosis during early childhood.

If a family believes medical negligence worsened a child’s brain damage at birth, legal support may be an option. A cerebral palsy attorney can review the medical records and circumstances to assess whether a claim exists.

Families who have experienced the effects of brain injuries from negligent medical care deserve to know whether they were avoidable. Our cerebral palsy attorneys specialize in birth injury medical malpractice, helping families seek compensation when negligence causes lifelong conditions.

Our team will thoroughly investigate the facts, holding responsible parties accountable by pursuing medical malpractice claims.

What is the Statute of Limitations in a Birth Injury Case?

A Statute of Limitations is a law that sets a time limit on how long an injured person has to file a lawsuit after an accident. It is essential to understand that statutes of limitations vary based on the case and the state where you file. For instance, the deadline for birth injury claims is typically different from other claims, such as injury to private property.

Generally, the clock starts ticking on the date the injury occurred. However, there are exceptions to this rule. In some cases, the statute of limitations starts when a person discovers or reasonably should have discovered an injury. When dealing with government agencies, SOLs can become even more complex.

For example, if the party that injured you was:

• A federal employee
• Employed by a military hospital, Veterans Administration facility, or a federally funded medical entity

You may need to file a birth injury claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). In FTCA cases, claimants must go through certain administrative procedures before filing a lawsuit. In some states, you may have less time to give notice if:

• The negligent party was a local or state government hospital
• The doctors and medical providers are employees of a governmental entity

If you file your case outside of the statute of limitations, the court will typically dismiss it. This means you will not be eligible to recover compensation for you or your child’s injuries.

Determining when a statute of limitations begins on your case can be tricky. Our cerebral palsy attorneys specialize in birth injury medical malpractice and can tell you important cutoff dates in your state.

How Can Our Cerebral Palsy Attorneys Help?

A child with cerebral palsy requires ongoing treatments and therapies estimated to exceed approximately $1 million over their lifetime. If you believe their conditions are the result of medical negligence or malpractice, you may be able to recover compensation. This compensation can cover the cost of therapies, assistive equipment and devices, and other cerebral palsy-related expenses.

A detailed expert review of the facts and circumstances of your pregnancy and your child's birth can reveal many things. Namely, it can determine whether a child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis and related symptoms were the result of medical malpractice.

Our Process

Our team of cerebral palsy attorneys specializes in birth injury medical malpractice and can help assess your potential cerebral palsy case. We use our detailed medical negligence case review process to take in your information and begin learning more.

We start by gathering information about your pregnancy by examining records to determine what happened during and after your delivery. This includes evaluating the fetal heart rate strips during labor and any action medical professionals took in the NICU.

We will call in skilled medical experts who review your records and provide insight into where medical professionals went wrong. If we feel medical negligence caused or worsened your baby’s cerebral palsy symptoms, we meet with you to discuss further.

At no point in our legal intake process will we ask you to pay anything. The medical review of your case and the consultation are free. We only receive payment once you do. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can investigate your case and gather the evidence to support your claim.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not pay any legal fees until we win your case. We do not purse any medical malpractice cases unless we fully believe we can win.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation by calling our toll-free line at (888) 987-0005. You can also reach us by filling out our online request form.