ABSTRACT
Cerebral palsy comprises a diverse collection of clinical syndromes. These disorders are characterized by abnormalities of posture and movement resulting from an insult to the immature brain. Cerebral palsy remains one of the leading causes of childhood neurological impairment and disability. The characteristic signs are spasticity, movement disorders, muscle weakness, ataxia, and rigidity. Cerebral palsy generally is considered to be a static, nonprogressive encephalopathy, implying that the neurological injury is not an evolving process. However, the clinical expression of cerebral palsy is subject to change as children and their developing nervous system mature. The ability to have extremely immature children survive routinely has in some respect neutralized the benefits of technological advances on reducing the incidence of the disease. Therefore, despite progress in neonatal care, cerebral palsy remains an important clinical problem that has significant effects on function and health-related quality of life of patients and their caregivers. One should also bear in mind that considerable cognitive, psychological, general medical, and social issues are also associated with the disorder. The following chapter aims to outline the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of the musculoskeletal manifestations of cerebral palsy.
