Understanding the Types of Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy from our Portland Cerebral Palsy Lawyers
There are several types of dyskinetic cerebral palsy that every parent should know about which our Portland cerebral palsy lawyers want you to know about. But more generally, it is important to recognize that cerebral palsy is one of the most catastrophic birth injuries to a child. This condition is also known as CP, and it is typically caused by hypoxic injuries due to a lack of oxygen to the developing brain. Such hypoxic conditions generally occur during the labor and delivery process. Many times the injuries which occur during the labor and delivery process and completely avoidable with the proper exercise of medical care and treatment. Unfortunately, far too many medical professionals fail to satisfy their duty of care to patients.
Understanding Cerebral Palsy Generally
Cerebral palsy is the condition which is a disorder or group of disorders affecting a person’s strength and ability to move due to brain damage. The brain damage is typically lesions caused by the hypoxic injuries. There are several types of cerebral palsy. Our Portland cerebral palsy lawyers know that there are four types of cerebral palsy, all which are devastating. The four general types include the following:
- Spastic CP – the most common which results in rigid muscles, hypertonia (extreme and stiff muscles), and related restrictions to movement from being tight or locked up.
- Ataxic CP – characterized by difficulty with balance and walking.
- Dyskinetic CP – trouble with movement and involuntary movements caused by irregular brain activity or damage.
- Mixed CP – a combination of two or more types of CP which depend on the severity and location of the damage.
What is Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy?
It is important to realize that dyskinetic cerebral palsy can occur here in Portland and it can cause significant difficulties to a child and his or her entire family. This is because the child will require assistance for even basic hygiene and treatment. Generally, dyskinetic cerebral palsy causes involuntary movements which make it more difficult for a person to voluntarily move. There are many types of dyskinetic cerebral palsy.
Causes of Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
The most common causes of dyskinetic cerebral palsy include the following:
- HIE or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy;
- Anoxic brain injuries, or a complete lack of oxygen to a baby;
- Delays in performing an emergency c-section;
- Umbilical cord issues such as an umbilical cord rupture or umbilical cord prolapse;
- Placental abruption which is when the placenta prematurely separated from the uterine wall;
- Excessive contractions which restrict oxygen supply;
- Overdose of Pitocin;
- Failure to monitor deaccelerations and accelerations during the birthing process;
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction tools;
- Gestational diabetes;
- Preeclampsia or eclampsia; and
- Many other common causes.
General Symptoms of Dyskinetic CP and Types of Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
There are many different common symptoms of dyskinetic CP that families in Portland, Oregon should be aware of. This is because dyskinetic CP is a very damaging type of birth injury which every family should be aware of to start early intervention for their child. However, the signs and symptoms of dyskinetic CP can be drastically different in other people suffering from the same condition. This is because dyskinetic CP has several subtypes or classifications.
The types of dyskinetic cerebral palsy include the following:
General Symptoms – General symptoms of dyskinetic cerebral palsy include difficulty with voluntary movements and controlling these movements. There are also many involuntary movements and abnormal movements caused by dyskinetic cerebral palsy.
Dystonia – This is a subset and type of symptom which is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. The contractions usually occur in the hands and feet, but usually include the rest fo the limb. The movements are writhing, twisting, and slow, usually repetitive. The more the person attempts to move, the most the involuntary movements occur. Signs of dystonia also include posture issues, spurts of erratic, jerky, and fast movements, and a sharp increase of involuntary movements when the person becomes stressed, tried, frustrated, emotional, or otherwise worked up. Dystonic can affect the entire body or just one arm of the body like an arm.
Athetosis – This is another subset and type of dyskinetic cerebral palsy that should also be reviewed by Portland cerebral palsy lawyers. This type of dyskinetic CP results in slow, twitching, and curling movements which can occur when a child is still or when a child starts to move. Many times movement can make the symptoms worse. The general signs of athetosis include the following:
- Involuntary movements and twisting;
- Hypertonia (strong, stiff muscles) to hypotonia (soft, flaccid muscles);
- Facial muscle issues which result in drooling;
- Difficulties eating, drinking, or talking;
- Fine motor problems such as buttoning a shirt or holding a utensil to eat;
- Involuntary movements unless the person goes to sleep, then the movements stop completely; and
- Many other symptoms.
Athetosis is a very damaging type of dyskinetic cerebral palsy because it can require constant changes in how family treats a person with it. The restrictions with stiff muscles versus flaccid muscles can be a huge problem.
Chorea – This type of dyskinetic cerebral palsy causes random, erratic, and involuntary movements. These movements appear to almost be rhythmic like dancing.
Families Who Have a Loved One Diagnosed with Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy Should Call Our Portland Cerebral Palsy Lawyers in Oregon
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
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