Glossary of Terms
Ankle-Foot Orthosis – A brace used to stretch the Achilles tendon
Apgar Score – Upon being born, a physician will take note of the baby's activity - including the muscle tone, pulse, grimace, reflex irritability, appearance, skin color, and respiration. A score of zero to ten is given. A low score signals a doctor that urgent care may be necessary and a high score probably confirms a normal and healthy baby. Children with cerebral palsy often receive low Apgar scores.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy – Characterized by a weakness in the muscles and poor coordination of movement
Athetoid Cerebral Palsy - A form of Cerebral Palsy that causes a person to experience involuntary movements. May cause the person to twist and squirm when stressed.
Athetosis – Uncontrolled and/or undesirable movements in an individual with Cerebral Palsy
Baclofen – A drug used to reduce spasticity and rigidity
Chorea – Uncontrolled and jerky type movement in the fingers and toes-experienced by some individuals with Cerebral Palsy
Compensation- Money damages paid out by a defendant or insurance company for causing some wrong, damage or injury.
Contractures - The muscle and tendon shortening experienced by individuals with Cerebral Palsy that results from a spastic tightening of muscles for long periods.
CT Scan - Uses a scanned image (Computed Tomography) of the brain to look for the cause of Cerebral Palsy in a child.
Diplegia - Cerebral Palsy that causes difficulty moving wither both arms or both legs.
Dysarthia – A weakness in the muscles that allow speech. This weakness is experienced by some individuals with Cerebral Palsy
Dystonia - Involuntary, slow, sustained muscle contractions resulting in abnormal postures and twisting motions of the arms, legs, and trunk.
Fetal Heart Rate Monitor – A monitor that is used to monitor a fetus’s heart rate and a mother’s uterine contractions.
Fetal Distress – The condition that results when an infant cannot breath before and during delivery. May result in brain damage or death of the infant is not attended to immediately.
Forceps - A tool used to grip a baby’s head for easier movement out of the birth canal. Improper use can lead to Cerebral Palsy
Hemiplegia - When only one side of the body is affected by Cerebral Palsy
Mixed Cerebral Palsy - A type of Cerebral Palsy in which the individual has symptoms from all the different kinds of Cerebral Palsy.
Monoplegia - Cerebral Palsy that only affects one limb
MRI scan – Also known as Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A diagnostic tool used to look for abnormalities of the brain that could have led to Cerebral Palsy
Physical Therapy - Probably the most important treatment for Cerebral Palsy. Designed to help an individual with Cerebral Palsy improve movement through the stretching of various muscles in the body.
Range of Motion - Refers to the ability to flex various joints such as those in the hands and knees. People with Cerebral Palsy generally have a decreased range of motion.
Spastic Cerebral Palsy - A type of Cerebral Palsy that causes muscle tightness resulting in abrupt and jerky movements.
Speech Therapy - A type of therapy that is designed to help with communication skills.
Vacuum Extraction - A method used by doctors to guide a baby out of the birth canal. Involves placing a suction cup over the baby’s head. Considered an alternative to using forceps. Improper use can lead to Cerebral Palsy.
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