CEREBRAL PALSY: Soft Tissue Surgical Management

Dr. William Little originally described cerebral palsy (CP) in 1861, during a presentation to the Obstetric Society in London (1). It was known at this time eponymously as “Little’s Disease.” In 1889, Dr. William Osler coined the term cerebral palsy, and described the types of CP. CP is defi ned as a group of nonprogressive disorders involving development of posture and movement (2). Changes in motor function in CP occur in conjunction with alterations in sensation, cognition, communication, perception, behavior, or seizure disorder. Contractures develop secondary to spastic hypertonia or due to immobility. Studies show a prevalence of CP from 1.5 to over 4 of every 1,000 live births. Males are affected more than females. The exact pathophysiology of CP is not fully understood. Originally CP was attributed to traumatic birthing processes, however many other factors were found to more often cause CP including premature or postmature birth, maternal exposure, brain injury or abnormal development, cerebral leukomalacia, and cerebral infections or infl ammation.