Spastic diplegia - symptoms and effective treatment

Spastic diplegia is one of the most common forms of cerebral palsy. It occurs in more than 70% of cases of this disease. For the first time in medicine, spastic diplegia was described by the English doctor Little. During his professional career as an obstetrician, he observed how diplegia manifested itself in newborn children. In honor of the doctor, the pathology received another name - Little's disease.

Causes

In modern medicine, it is customary to identify the following causes that provoke spastic diplegia of the lower extremities:

• premature birth - among the causes of prematurity may be Rh conflict between mother and child, fetoplacental insufficiency, premature placental abruption, late toxicosis in the mother, cardiovascular pathologies, diabetes mellitus, previous injuries;
• injuries to the newborn during childbirth - the risk of birth injury increases with prolonged or rapid labor, breech presentation of the fetus, narrow maternal pelvis;
• hypoxia and asphyxia of the newborn - oxygen deficiency during the period of intrauterine stay of the child negatively affects its development, the risk of pathologies increases if the baby does not breathe independently immediately after birth.

The causes of asphyxia in newborns can be pathological childbirth, intrauterine infections of the fetus, ingress of amniotic fluid, and genetic incompatibility of mother and child.

A certain risk of having a child with cerebral palsy exists when the mother drinks alcoholic beverages and abuses smoking during pregnancy. Provoking factors include the work of a pregnant woman in hazardous work and living in unfavorable environmental conditions.

Spastic diplegia is formed due to damage to the precentral gyrus. It gives rise to pyramidal tracts, which in turn are responsible for motor function. One of the most dangerous factors is intrauterine hypoxia, caused by a lack of oxygen supply to the fetus. Since the brain is very sensitive to a lack of oxygen, pathological changes occur immediately after the onset of oxygen starvation.

Much less frequently, diplegia can result from intracranial birth injuries, causing hemorrhages and destruction of brain tissue.

What does it look like in life

The photo shows a characteristic pose for spastic diplegia.
Spastic diplegia accounts for 75% of all identified cases of cerebral palsy. Compared to other forms, Little's syndrome is characterized by greater damage to the legs.

The face and upper body may not be involved at all, the arms to a lesser extent. A significant manifestation of the syndrome at an early age contributes to the formation of contractures - restrictions on passive movements in the joints, which negatively affects the position of the spine.

The predominant symptoms of this form of pathology include paresis of the lower extremities. In a lying position, the child’s legs are straight, but when they try to stand him up, the legs begin to bend at the knees, shifting the center of gravity to the toes.

Also with Little's syndrome, mental retardation, speech and mental retardation are noted. In rare cases, paresis of the vocal cords and impaired sound production are diagnosed.

Classification

Depending on the intensity of the manifestation, children with cerebral palsy and spastic diplegia may suffer from the following forms of the disease:

• mild - in the first 6 months of life, children are no different from their healthy peers, later problems appear when walking, but arm movements are not limited, the patient can move independently, mental development is not impaired;
• medium - the patient has diplegia of the lower extremities, movement is possible only with the help of improvised means, minor mental damage is also noted, but social adaptation is not impaired;
• severe - this form of cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia, is noticeable from the first months of the child’s life, pronounced tetraparesis is noted with an emphasis on the lower limbs, motor function is completely impaired, patients are not capable of social adaptation in society.

Children with severe spastic diplegia have a negative prognosis for recovery. This pathology is practically untreatable and can lead to death in adolescence.

Causes and risk factors for the development of spastic diplegia

Since neurologists do not know , they presumably name many reasons. And if at least one of them coincides with your lifestyle or an event in your life during pregnancy, then neurologists are happy: they found the reason, blaming you for this event .

Doctor Nikonov

My opinion: the mother is not to blame, the father is not to blame. Swelling in the muscles is not inherited, and the density of muscle fibers adjacent to each other depends on the information that both the mother and father passed on to the child. This is visible under an electron microscope in a fetus at 6 weeks.

I will list the reasons for the development of spastic diplegia according to neurologists:

• Heredity.

My opinion: there is no data to support this statement, since children with spastic diplegia have all their chromosomes intact.

Neurologists:

• Fetal ischemia or hypoxia. If the blood supply to the brain is disrupted and oxygen starvation, brain damage can occur.

My opinion: there is no evidence either on ultrasound or MRI. This is an assumption, i.e. essay on the topic of oxygen starvation of the brain.

Neurologists:

• Infectious lesions of the brain and musculoskeletal system. When a newborn is infected with an infection, serious diseases can develop, such as meningitis, encephalitis and others, due to which complications are noted, since the body is small and is not able to fight such lesions.

My opinion : not all children develop spastic diplegia after suffering from infectious diseases. This disease develops in those children who have suffered infectious diseases and already have swelling in muscle cells or between muscle fibers.

Neurologists:

• Toxic factor. Alcohol, smoking, taking strong medications, etc. may provoke the development of pathology.

My opinion : it has been proven that the body produces alcohol during meals. For this reason, people feel relaxed after eating. It is impossible to provoke pathology. It either exists (look through an electron microscope) or it doesn’t. The placenta will not allow harmful substances to pass through it - it is a natural filter.

Neurologists:

• Physical impact. Brain damage can occur due to radioactive, x-ray irradiation of a pregnant woman, as well as as a result of electromagnetic irradiation.

My opinion: learned biologists and physicists exclude the possibility of spastic diplegia arising from such physical influences, based on data from studies of children after the atomic explosion in Hiroshima. Neurologists send you for an ultrasound scan themselves.

Neurologists:

• Mechanical reasons. Brain damage can be caused by trauma and damage immediately after birth.

My opinion: A child with the most common form of cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia, could be born with difficulties, since muscle swelling was present in both the mother and the baby, who was born with the pathology. Watch a video on the topic of spastic diplegia:

Symptoms

Spastic diplegia, especially in its mild form, is hardly noticeable in the first months of a child’s life. The newborn baby still has muscle hypertonicity, which he needed during the period of intrauterine development. It gradually weakens, but partially remains until 4-6 months. Hypertonicity, which persists in a child after he reaches six months of age, is one of the signs that makes one suspect spastic diplegia of the lower extremities.

Diplegia in severe form is noticeable from the first days of a baby’s life. Such children are inactive during the period of swaddling and wakefulness, increased muscle tone makes it difficult to bend the limbs.

Other symptoms of spastic diplegia include:

• the characteristic position of the patient’s legs, in which the hips and knees are connected inward, the legs are crossed;
• “dancing” movements when walking, knees rubbing against each other;
• significant delay in motor activity - children begin to walk only at the age of 2-4 years;
• child's tiptoe gait;
• oculomotor disorders, strabismus, decreased visual acuity;
• poor hearing;
• disturbances in the functioning of the speech apparatus, delayed speech development;
• involuntary uncontrolled movements;
• hoarseness of voice.

Diplegia in cerebral palsy is often accompanied by a delay in psychological and speech development. Up to 80% of children diagnosed with spastic diplegia have speaking problems to one degree or another. At the same time, mental retardation is noted in only a quarter of patients with this form of cerebral palsy.

Concept of spastic diplegia

According to the World Health Organization, spastic diplegia is a form of cerebral palsy in which there is a complete disruption of the functioning of the muscles of the limbs.

Doctor Nikonov

In my opinion , spastic diplegia is a form of cerebral palsy in which the functioning of the muscles of the neck, back and buttocks is impaired. The limbs do not move due to the fact that the back muscles do not relax and do not allow the muscles of the limbs to move. Watch a video on the topic:

Neurologists believe that moderate and mild spastic diplegia is caused by damage to both hemispheres of the brain, therefore movements in the upper and lower extremities are impaired.

Doctor Nikonov

My opinion is based on what Professor Sergei Savelyev saw through an electron microscope. Changes in muscles (edema) began in utero before brain development.

Neurologists have a tentative opinion.

Professor Savelyev’s opinion is provable and clearly presented.

Neurologists believe that spastic diplegia is G 80.1. characterized by lower spastic paraparesis, or tetraparesis, which mainly affects the child’s legs. The expression of pathology can vary - from pronounced to mild awkwardness.

Neurologists believe that the cause of the disease in question is increased muscle tone in the arms or legs.

Doctor Nikonov

My opinion: increased muscle tone disappears by six months after the birth of the child. Since increased muscle tone is needed for the fetus to be in the fetal position. At exactly six months, not a single child has increased muscle tone.

Neurologists do not know about muscle swelling , so they answer about increased muscle tone based on assumption, not knowledge.

Due to the fact that the muscles of the neck, back and buttocks do not move, the arm is bent at the elbow joint and turned towards the body with a clenched fist. The lower limbs are in a semi-bent position and may cross when walking. Look at the picture below, which shows a typical posture for spastic diplegia:

Recommended video to watch:

The presented video is not educational. The video is the result of the work. Repeating procedure techniques without training from Dr. Nikonov may result in serious injury.

Diagnostics

To determine lower spastic diplagia, a set of diagnostic measures is used. Diagnosis at an early age is often difficult, which creates problems in timely treatment.

Diagnosis is carried out by a pediatric neurologist, and consultations with a pediatrician, ophthalmologist, and otolaryngologist are also prescribed. Pay attention to the history of childbirth, such facts as prematurity, hypoxia during intrauterine development, asphyxia during childbirth.

A neurological examination is of great importance in diagnosis, during which attention is paid to the characteristic signs of disturbances when walking, increased muscle tone, increased tendon reflexes, and impaired skin sensitivity.

Diagnostic measures also include:

• consultation with an ophthalmologist to determine visual acuity and identify oculomotor disorders;
• audiometry by an otolaryngologist, carried out to determine hearing acuity and its possible disorders;
• electroencephalography - performed to assess brain activity;
• neurosonography - necessary to exclude other pathologies with similar symptoms, such as hydrocephalus, cysts, intracranial hematoma;
• MRI of the brain - usually performed when it is necessary to clarify previous diagnostic data.

The child’s level of psycho-speech development is assessed. This is done by a child neurologist (at an early age) or a child psychiatrist. If necessary, tests are performed to determine the level of delay in psychological and speech development or to diagnose mental retardation.

FEATURES OF RESTORATIVE TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH Cerebral Palsy

1. With cerebral palsy or some other lesions, the child lacks the skill of normal purposeful movements; often a child of 10-12 years old cannot sit independently, has never walked, i.e. the function of staying in an upright position and the function of walking are unknown to the child.
2. Require primary development (training) of ordinary voluntary movements associated with everyday self-service and the use of objects familiar to a healthy person (take and put down an object, fasten and unbutton a button, press a button, etc.)
3. In this case, we are not talking about restoring lost functions, but about recreating missed functions of physical development characteristic of age, i.e. learning to stay in a vertical position, learning to walk (phase mobility).
4. There is almost always a discrepancy between physical and mental development characteristic of a certain age.
5. Another important problem is that with cerebral palsy, the duration, regularity, and continuity of treatment are of key importance, since the child is growing and the effect achieved over a certain period of time (a month or two) can be leveled out due to the child’s growth (false progression, rapid formation of contractures etc.), therefore, treatment should be constant and long-term.
6. The task of educating parents is no less difficult than treating a child, especially given the modern availability of information, forums and a lot of quackery.
7. Strict individuality, dosage, gradualism.

Valgs deformity of the legs (at the beginning of treatment)

The same patient 2 months later (the appearance of hallux valgus deformity radically decreased). Restorative treatment methods were used at the Vremena Goda clinic, without surgery.

Treatment

Treatment of spastic diplegia in cerebral palsy is aimed at rehabilitation of the child, alleviation of symptoms of the disease, psychological and social adaptation. Working with a defectologist, psychologist, and speech therapist is of great importance to acquire self-care skills and adaptation to society.

Conservative therapy

Drug treatment of diplegia involves prescribing the following groups of drugs:

• vascular agents - normalize blood circulation, improve brain function;
• muscle relaxants - relieve muscle spasms;
• nootropics - stimulate mental activity, activate cognitive functions, improve memory;
• botulinum toxin - relieves spastic tension;
• sedatives - to normalize the psycho-emotional background;
• vitamin and mineral complexes - to achieve a general strengthening effect.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic procedures for cerebral palsy are prescribed taking into account the characteristics of the child’s body, rapid fatigue and increased excitability of the nervous system of such patients.

Effective physiotherapeutic procedures include:

• electrical stimulation - the use of pulsed currents to improve blood circulation and normalize muscle tone;
• magnetotherapy and the use of ultrasonic waves - used in the treatment of contractures;
• laser therapy - has a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels and muscle fibers;
• balneotherapy - the appointment of pine, hydrogen sulfide, turpentine, oxygen and other types of healing baths;
• thermal procedures - paraffin wrap, mud therapy.

Patients with cerebral palsy are prescribed various types of therapeutic massages. Their goal is to strengthen the muscles, relieve tension and excitability in the muscles, and improve blood circulation.

Acupuncture provides effective results in treatment. Influence on biologically active points on the human body allows you to improve the reflex response of organs and tissues. It is best to start acupuncture sessions before the age of one year.

Biologically active points on a child’s skin are located closer to the surface than on adults, so the time the needle remains on the skin is also shorter. It is recommended to conduct 3-4 courses of acupuncture per year. Each course consists of 10 procedures.

Physiotherapy

Exercise therapy is carried out no earlier than one and a half to two hours before or after physiotherapeutic procedures. Exercises are performed in an active-passive mode with the help of an instructor; it is possible to use special gymnastic equipment - a fitball, balls, sandbags.

Physical therapy exercises help build muscle strength, improve coordination of movements, normalize muscle tone, and improve the emotional state of a small patient.

Swimming has a great effect on the human body. Staying in water has a restorative and sedative effect and activates the central nervous system.

Recently, new rehabilitation methods have gained popularity - dolphin therapy (swimming in a pool with dolphins) and hippotherapy (communication and horse riding). Such activities stimulate emotional, tactile and visual communication, helping the child get a charge of optimism and positive, bright emotions.

Specially trained animals send the child over 100 motor impulses, to which the patient’s brain actively reacts.

At least an hour should pass between massage, exercise therapy or physiotherapy procedures. Procedures are not prescribed if the child has signs of acute respiratory diseases, a feverish state, a tendency to bleed, or the presence of neoplasms in the body.

If the disease is accompanied by increased excitability of the child and sleep disorders, electrosleep therapy is indicated. Electrosleep lasting 30-40 minutes is prescribed, procedures are carried out daily or every other day. This type of physiotherapy is not prescribed if cerebral palsy is complicated by epilepsy or hydrocephalus.

Rehabilitation therapy necessarily includes classes with a psychologist, speech pathologist, and special education teachers in specialized institutions. Play therapy allows you to relieve increased anxiety, fears, neuroses, improve sleep and correct behavior. These types of correctional work are indicated for patients who have delayed mental and speech development.

BASIC METHODS OF REHABILITATION OF CHILDREN at the Vremena Goda clinic

The basis of our approach is INTENSIVE PHYSICAL REHABILITATION, based on modern evidence-based medicine. A team of specialists in various fields of medicine creates an individual complex of rehabilitation treatment for each patient. In each complex, in addition to physical rehabilitation methods, there is psychocorrection, speech therapy assistance, occupational therapy, control and treatment of concomitant diseases. For school-age children, educational programs of general education and special profiles are additionally provided. Much attention is paid to special nutrition and organizing an optimal regime of exercise and rest. The ultimate goal of treatment is not only the maximum possible restoration of the functions of movement and self-care, but also the active socialization of the child.

Physical rehabilitation technologies developed in our clinic, using the achievements of modern evidence-based medicine in this area, as well as Voight’s principles of reflex locomotion - the formation (restoration) of motor skills using innate motor reflexes, Bobath concepts - technologies for combating spasticity and restoring voluntary movements.

The technology of physical rehabilitation is the sequence and content of therapeutic measures aimed at restoring voluntary movements, in a volume sufficient to remain in an upright position, walking, and motor activity associated with household self-care.

Typically, the basic complex includes a wide range of physical methods of influence - active and passive physical exercises - kinesitherapy in the gym and in the water, using various simulators and special devices.

Physiotherapy (various methods of electrical, magnetic, ultrasonic, temperature and mechanical effects), massage, balneotherapy (mud applications), special relaxation technologies, etc.

The main methods of physical rehabilitation are structured in our clinic in such a way that they influence the control of movement of the body as a whole and its components:

1. Purposeful individual movements of body parts
2. Cooperative movements of various parts of the body - dynamic stereotypes (in particular, movements of the limbs when crawling on the stomach, walking on all fours, walking in an upright position, etc.)

Control of vertical posture and movement of the body in space - contain elementary components of movement - straightening the body against gravity and simple purposeful movements, which, through training using special techniques, form friendly movements - dynamic stereotypes that allow the function of movement and self-service.

Basic dynamic stereotypes (conditioned reflexes) necessary for movement and self-care require quite a lot of time to recover (usually at least 4-8 months). Control of posture and movement, activated during kinesitherapy, is one of the most important components of restoration (learning) to stay in an upright position, walking, and other movement patterns that form the basis of basic physical activity and self-care.

Restoring balance control and basic physical activity can be achieved in almost all cases in patients with cerebral palsy while maintaining basic intellectual functions.

Exercises on a walking simulator (beginning of the treatment complex)

Same thing after 4 weeks

Forecast

Cerebral palsy is an incurable disease, so the goal of treatment is to maximize the patient’s adaptation to living in society and improve his overall well-being. Although the overall prognosis for the disease is unfavorable, with proper treatment and additional health procedures, patients with this diagnosis can live to a ripe old age.

With a mild form of the disease, patients can lead a normal life, get education, and work. When choosing a profession, you should definitely take into account the characteristics of your health condition, as well as regularly take courses of preventive treatment and follow all the doctor’s recommendations.

However, only a quarter of patients will be able to move and care for themselves. If a severe degree of the disease is diagnosed, the patient needs constant care and will not be able to lead a full independent life.

Parents of children with cerebral palsy also need psychological help and support. To do this, they can attend special courses and trainings at rehabilitation centers, where they will receive appropriate recommendations for treatment and proper care and will be able to find like-minded people and friends.

Atonic-astatic form

The atonic-astatic form occurs when the cerebellum is damaged. Coordination of movements and a sense of balance suffer most of all, and muscle atony is also observed. Signs of the atonic-astatic form of cerebral palsy:

• muscle tone is reduced;
• tendon reflexes are pronounced;
• frequent cases of speech impairment;
• coordination of movements is completely impaired;
• no sense of balance;
• possible concomitant disease – mental retardation;
• defects of intellectual development; speech impairment.

Complications

The negative consequences of the disease are reflected mainly in the condition of the musculoskeletal system. Possible complications include:

• formation of contractures;
• risk of developing joint pathologies - arthrosis;
• muscle atrophy;
• increased risk of injury resulting from poor coordination of movements, unsteady gait, and falls.

Avoiding complications and achieving the most effective rehabilitation of a child is possible only with timely diagnosis and early initiation of treatment.

Clinical signs of spastic diplegia

The incidence of this form of cerebral palsy is 50%.

of the musculoskeletal system include:

Bilateral damage to the extremities of a sick child, legs to a greater extent than arms, earlier formation of deformities and contractures, deformation of joints and spine. Muscle tone in the adductor muscles and hip extensors is greatly increased, the child’s legs are brought close to each other, often crossed. Additionally, symptoms of Babinsky, Rossolimo, etc. may appear. Walking in the case of the formation of contractures and deformities of the feet is difficult or impossible.

Disorders of mental and speech development , pathologies of the sensory organs:

Pseudobulbar syndrome, pathological changes in the cranial nerves, which entails atrophy of the optic discs, hearing impairment and strabismus. There is a delay in speech development. Speech development in children with spastic diplegia is delayed. Speech disorders are manifested by dysarthria and alalia. Hyperkinesis of the articulatory and respiratory muscles makes speech blurry and jerky. Children with this form of the disease have difficulty studying, quickly become exhausted, and are distracted. Memory is reduced.

Other pathologies: Convulsions are possible, but relatively rare.

The decrease in intelligence is moderate or completely absent.

Watch a new film about the Nikonov method:

Prevention

Prevention of the disease should be carried out during the period of pregnancy by the mother. A pregnant woman must register with a specialized medical institution on time to manage her pregnancy.

During the entire period of bearing a child, it is prohibited to smoke or drink alcoholic beverages. Bad habits reduce the supply of oxygen and increase the risk of developing hypoxia in the fetus.

If a woman was taking medications before pregnancy, she should notify her doctor. Not all medications are safe for the development and health of the unborn baby.

Preventive measures also include following the rules of a balanced diet and eliminating negative emotions during pregnancy. Regular visits to the doctor will help prevent intrauterine developmental disorders.

What do you need to remember?

• spastic diplegia is the most common form of cerebral palsy;
• the disease requires not only the use of drug therapy, but, first of all, a number of health-improving and developmental procedures aimed at adapting the child to society;
• with a mild form of the disease, the child can independently care for himself and lead a normal life, but with regular visits to the doctor;
• Physical therapy exercises play an important role in treatment;
• if indicated, the child is entitled to sanatorium treatment;
• every child with cerebral palsy has the right to rehabilitation with the provision of technical recovery means;
• timely treatment reduces the risk of complications such as contractures, joint pathologies, and muscle atrophy.

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Treatment of spastic diplegia by neurologists

Neurologists: according to the World Health Organization, curing spastic pathology is impossible.

The goal of treatment by neurologists is to mitigate muscle damage and adapt the child to society. To achieve treatment goals, general physiotherapeutic rehabilitation procedures are used. This could be: regular massage to improve blood circulation in order to reduce muscle tone and prevent contractures.

Doctor Nikonov

My opinion: it is impossible to improve blood circulation. There is either blood circulation or there is not. If blood circulation deteriorates, there will be gangrene. An electron microscope shows the growth of additional arterial capillaries in the muscles where the nuclei have “fell off.” Therapeutic massage is not able to eliminate swelling from muscle cells.

Neurologists prescribe physical therapy, acupuncture, and swimming.

My opinion: for a child with spastic diplegia and his parents, all the recovery methods listed by neurologists are a game of daughter-mother. Until you eliminate the swelling from the muscle tissue, there will be no positive changes. Only exposure using the Nikonov method can eliminate swelling.

Neurologists like to prescribe vojta therapy, a technique for activating reflexes.

My opinion: you can activate reflexes only in those muscles of the child that are without swelling. Only the appearance of improvement is created due to non-swollen muscle groups at the time of application of the technique for a short period of time.

Neurologists prescribe wearing a power system consisting of support elements and elastic adjustable rods.

My opinion: it is impossible to teach a child to walk correctly if the muscles do not move correctly due to swelling.

Drug treatment includes the use of nootropics and homeopathic medicines. Treatment is prescribed in the presence of auxiliary lesions in the form of delayed intellectual and psychological development.

I don't prescribe medications.

Watch a video on the topic of spastic diplegia in children:

It is impossible in the article to describe every particular case of restoration and training of parents to restore their children. Therefore, I am providing you with links to my video channels, where you will find complete information:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcKEOLTWN3sy9QV5VK2axig

https://www.youtube.com/user/NikonovNikolay

They also suggest watching my video, which shows examples of complete recovery of children:

Me, my patient Bogdan and his happy parents: