New device helping people with Cerebral Palsy

Posted: Published on May 18th, 2012

This post was added by Dr Simmons

It may just look like a can of tuna, but for a teen with one of the most common congenital disorders, it's making a world of a difference.

Now there is a new device that could bring big relief to millions living in constant pain.

Kim Taylor calls her son Matthew the real life Forrest Gump.

Matthew's Mother Kim Taylor explains how much he loves to run. "He will just run and run and run. We have to make him stop."

It's something she thought she'd never see the teen do.

Kim says, "He was 15 months when he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy we were told he'd probably never walk unassisted."

Matthew has had three major surgeries, wore leg braces and received Botox injections to reduce spasticity, painful and uncontrollable muscle spasms and tightness millions with CP suffer. But he eventually developed a tolerance to Botox. That's when doctors had him try something new.

Assistant Professor and Program Director for Pediatric Rehabilitation at University of Florida, Jacksonville Louise Spierre, MD, explains the new device, "What the baclofen pump does is help relax muscles that are pulling things out of their natural position."

Implanted under the skin it continuously shoots baclofen directly to the spine. Doctor Louise Spierre believes it's a better option than Botox and baclofen pills.

Dr. Spierre MD, explains the advantages to the pump. "The advantage of the pump is that the medication is all delivered to the spine so very little of it ends up in the brain."

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New device helping people with Cerebral Palsy

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