Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation

Although cerebral palsy is a permanent disorder of the brain that affects the muscles, and thus the bones as well, its patients can be rehabilitated. Therapists and doctors, including surgeons, can work with patients and families to rehabilitate and offset some of the muscular and skeletal effects of this neurological disease.

Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation Centers

Numerous rehabilitation centers exist around the country to treat cerebral palsy patients. These centers often treat patients with the most severe conditions, including:

• Cerebral palsy
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury

They also serve patients with more common conditions, such as:

• Arthritis
• Chronic pain
• Sports injuries

Rehabilitation centers use a team approach to treating their patients. Chosen first in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago has the following specialists on its teams:

• Physiatrists (physicians specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation)
• Neurosurgeons
• Orthopedic surgeons
• Pediatricians
• Physical and occupational therapists
• Rehabilitation nurses
• Speech/language pathologists
• Psychologists
• Neuropsychologists
• Social workers
• Clinical managers
• Orthotists and prosthetists
• Therapeutic recreation specialists
• Care managers
• Vocational rehabilitation counselors

Before beginning therapy and after an assessment of the patients, the team develops a plan by which to approach the individual's therapy. The plan is always subject to change, depending upon the progress of the patient. The team provides coordinated care with other team members, the patient and the patient's family.

The patient's referring physician is kept abreast of the patient's progress. The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago was the only program that the magazine rated as "Very Strong."

U.S. News and World Report compiled its list by surveying rehabilitation specialists from around the country. Numerous rehabilitation centers also have research components. Other centers at the top of the list were:

• Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, New Jersey
• University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
• TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, Texas
• Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachesetts
• Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
• Craig Hospital, Englewood, Colorado
• Rusk Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
• Moss Rehab, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania

The programs of the above centers were rated "Strong."

The next rating, "Significant," was given to:

• Shepherd Center, Atlanta, Georgia
• Ohio State University Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
• Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington, D.C
• Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York
• Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
• UPMC-University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, California
• Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
• Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation, Dallas, Texas
• University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora Colorado
• Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia
• Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Palo Alto, CA
• Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
• New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, New York, New York

For more information about resource centers or to find out about other types of resources available, please contact us today.