Cerebral Palsy and Falling Issues

Fact Checked

Cerebral palsy causes motor and mobility disabilities that increase the risk of falls. Many of the symptoms of cerebral palsy affect balance and coordination. Take steps to ensure your child has the best treatment plans and aids available to help reduce frequent falls.

Cerebral Palsy and Falls

Cerebral palsy is a neuromotor disorder, meaning it affects the brain and the musculoskeletal system. It affects mobility, walking, balance, and posture. Because balance and walking are often impaired, falls are common.

A study of nearly 400 people with cerebral palsy found that 86% had fallen in the last year. The most falls occurred in children aged 5 to 12 and with Grade II cerebral palsy on the GMFCS mobility scale.[1]

Falls were more common in people with a moderate grade of cerebral palsy because those at higher grades practiced avoidance. They either are unable to walk at all or avoid situations that would cause a fall.

People who fell in the study reported experiencing embarrassment, loss of confidence, pain, fractures, sprains, concussions, and cuts.

Type of Cerebral Palsy Affects Mobility and Balance

People with cerebral palsy have varying degrees of mobility limitations. For instance, those with spastic cerebral palsy have jerking movements and an awkward gait while walking. In contrast, those with athetoid cerebral palsy (dyskinetic) will have involuntary movements while walking that can affect their balance.

People with ataxic cerebral palsy experience shaky movements while walking and have difficulties with balance, while those with mixed cerebral palsy will have a combination of the symptoms above.

Aging and Falls in Cerebral Palsy

According to research, adults with cerebral palsy tend to have more issues with falling than teens and children with the disorder. Many people with cerebral palsy have declining mobility as they age.[2]

With the decline of mobility comes a drastic increase in falls. However, people of all ages with cerebral palsy can fall due to balance issues and involuntary movements.

Falling may seem innocuous, especially for children prone to scrapes and accidents while playing or running around. However, a rough fall for children with cerebral palsy can lead to sprains, broken bones, and increased CP symptoms.

Therapy is one of the top ways to help children and adults with cerebral palsy reduce their chances of falling.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy provides patients with exercises, stretching techniques, balance routines, and other regimes that promote strength, balance, coordination, increased muscle tone, and more. Most doctors recommend that all children with cerebral palsy enroll in physical therapy sessions as soon as possible after diagnosis.

Although there were a few limitations, a study found that participation in a functional physical therapy program helped children function better and more independently on daily tasks.[3]

For more information, refer to our article, Cerebral Palsy Physical Therapy.

Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy is a relatively new concept for helping children with cerebral palsy, but it’s proven beneficial for many. Aquatic therapy helps boost confidence and improve muscle tone, balance, circulation, and physical function, all of which contribute to reducing falls and other accidents.

For more information, refer to our article, Cerebral Palsy Aquatic Therapy.

Mobility Aids

Mobility aids reduce the risk of falling, especially for children with trouble walking independently. Mobility aids can range from anything to a walker, crutches, leg braces, and canes.

Orthotic devices that can help children with walking and reduce the chances of falling include:

• Foot or ankle-foot orthotics
• Spinal orthotics
• Knee orthotics
• Knee-ankle orthotics

Walkers also come in various kinds, including:

• Two-wheeled walkers
• Four-wheeled walkers
• Gait trainers
• Walkers with chest support
• Suspension Walkers

Canes can be adjusted to the child’s specific height and are used for walking support to help prevent falls. The most common types of canes include:

• Non-folding
• Folding
• Quad
• Tripod
• Folding canes with seats

Surgery

When walking issues are severe, orthopedic surgery may be recommended. Orthopedic surgery provides a host of benefits that can all reduce falling accidents:

• Correction of spinal curvatures
• Reduced muscle stiffness and spasms
• Correction of joints and tendons
• Prevention of hip dislocation and more

The type of surgery a child can benefit from varies depending on their disabilities and needs. An orthopedic surgeon is an important member of your child’s medical team, who can consult with other doctors to determine the best treatment plan.

Regardless of the type of assistance you decide on, speak with your child’s healthcare team beforehand. Getting professional medical assessments of your child’s strengths and weaknesses is always a good idea. This will help you make a better decision about which aids and therapies will help the most.