Affiliations: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Correspondence:
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200 East University Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101, USA. Tel.: +1 651 229 3819; Fax: +1 651 229 3833; E-mail: gorml001@gold.tc.umn.edu.
Abstract: As in adults, spasticity of cerebral origin in children can interfere with function, cares, positioning, and comfort. Reducing spasticity may improve overall function. Many treatment modalities have been developed to treat spasticity in children. This article reviews some of these treatment options including bracing, physical and occupational therapy, oral medications, neurolytic blocks, neurosurgical procedures, and orthopaedic surgery. Specific characteristics of children which influence treatment will also be discussed. Most children benefit from a combination of treatments and not just a single treatment modality. The optimal treatment combination usually changes over time as a child grows and develops. Once the special characteristics of children and the various treatment options are understood, the treatment of cerebral origin spasticity in children can be optimized.
