Can a person with cerebral palsy start to walk on their own if they pratice alot?

Question

i have cerebral palsy. i think that i can walk if i pratice alot. the other day i went to store and walk with my walker. now my legs are score and i cant pratice now. how can i make my legs less sore?

Answer 1

In my experience, the only way a person with CP will learn to walk is to learn how to do it with minimal effort. When you use the right muscles, walking should be almost effortless.

Think about it...babies experiment by using different muscles and bending their bodies in different positions until they find the simplest way. We don't consciously think about breathing, we just do it. Walking should be easy, too.

PT is the best way for a person with CP to learn how to do these effortless movements. My son couldn't sit up, crawl, or walk for a long time; much longer than the average child. After 3 years of PT, (age 3 1/2) he took his first steps. Now he's 5 1/2 and walking, running, jumping, climbing etc. We continue PT visits once weekly and he also practices at home.

If you force walking before your body and brain learn the correct "tools" to master the movements correctly, I think you will be putting unecessary strain on your muscles and cause more pain for yourself.

Make an appt. with a good PT that specializes in people with CP. They are out there, and they are VERY good at what they do. Good luck!

Answer 2

You may have over-done it the other day by using the walker at the store. You might want to consider just using the walker at home right now, or in the yard or on your street. Don't push yourself too hard. I know of people with CP who walk unassisted, but at times, even they will still use a wheelchair (for long distances- like amusement parks). I think it's wonderful that you are not giving up hope that you can walk with your walker, and I believe that you can. Just take your time though, don't expect too much of yourself all at once. You don't want to risk injury as that would cause further set backs. Since you didn't mention what type of CP you have, I'm going to assume (sorry!) that you have Spastic Diplegia since it's the most common type. There are lots of ways to reduce spasticity; such a stretching, Botox and Phenol injections, oral baclofen, baclofen pumps, electrode therapy.... You might want to consult with your Neurologist or a Physiatrist (doctor of Physical Medicine) if any of these options are right for you. Do you wear DAFOs? You can even get those to wear at night as well, to give you a continuous stretch. If you do have spasticity, I'm sure you know that swimming in warm water is better for you. It helps relax your muscles more. If you have access to a heated pool, aqua therapy is one of the best forms of therapy for anyone with CP, regardless of type. You might want to check out Hippotherapy as well. It's one of the greatest therapies for improving trunk strength, balance, and coordination.

I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 3

If you are able to use a walker, it's my guess that yes, it is possible to walk with lots of work. Do you have a physical therapist that you work with? Have you considered the possibility of being fitted for braces? Your legs are sore because your muscles got a workout. The more you work them out, the stronger they will become.
It sounds like you really have the desire to walk, and that should take you pretty far in your quest. Good luck on your journey, and I wish you the best.

Answer 4

A lot of people would be afraid to give you some kind of answer, because their lack of education of CP. If they give you the wrong information and it turned out to be false information it might cause you to hurt yourself. You see, my girlfriends daughter Chelly has CP. Her speech is very difficult to comprehend. She walks on her tip toes and she is stiff legged. Her mental capacity is really low, and she has intestinal complications sometimes and her immune system isn't good when it comes to getting a cold. There's four different types of CP. I could explain them all , but I think it's better that I give you the website addresses that you can go to educate you a little more about CP. I'm not a doctor and I'm not a counselor. I just feel you need to find out the answer you need. Go to these websites and read them carefully. There's other websites about CP. Lot's of them. www.jhhs.org/myjewishhospital/encyclopedia.HTML/2662htl Also: www.cchs.net/health/health-info/2000/2021.asp? index=8777

Answer 5

I don't know much about cerebral palsy. I do know that when you use muscles more than you're used to using them, they are sore, but it goes away. It may be that, if you keep doing a little at a time you may be able to do more and more. Don't overdo, but build up slowly.

Answer 6

i have a friend who can walk without a walker, in fact he does everything, surf, bike walk ... when he was a child doctors told him that he'd never walk again and he simply took matters in his own hand. I don't know the details of his recovery but you would never know that he has cerebral palsy if you saw him.
Good luck to you! Hang in there!

Answer 7

Don't overdo it; just take it easy a walk a little bit more every day. You will get there; it just takes time. Eat a heathy diet, too, to help build up strength in your legs.

Answer 8

one of my best friends has it and she has had a lot of surgeries on her legs and she can walk now, i mena she walks crooked and falls a lot but she can walk none the less. she also had no use what so ever of her right arm and through encouragment she can do any and every sport all of her friends do even swimming she even has some records set at our school.

Answer 9

rest for a few days and enjoy yourself it may give you disadvantages but go easy and take short walks around the beach and don't push anything... keep yourself happy and practice after you rest
and your legs arent too sore anymore

Answer 10

Best of luck, anyway there are various types of medical professionals (Occupational therapists, Physical therapists, Medical Doctors etc.) that can help with this.