KnotesFree Orthopaedic & FRCS notes, viva stations and higher order SBAs

Cerebral palsy

High YieldPaediatric OrthopaedicsthinKbox SBA

Definition

A permanent disorder of movement and posture due to a non-progressive disturbance in the developing brain.

Classification

  • Spastic
  • Dyskinetic
  • Ataxic
  • Mixed

Distribution

  • Hemiplegia
  • Diplegia
  • Quadriplegia

Orthopaedic problems

  • Muscle imbalance and contracture
  • Hip subluxation or dislocation
  • Equinus and foot deformity
  • Crouch gait
  • Rotational deformity
  • Scoliosis

Assessment

  • GMFCS level
  • Gait pattern
  • Hip surveillance
  • Functional goals and caregiver concerns

Treatment

  • Physiotherapy and orthoses
  • Spasticity management: botulinum toxin, oral medication, SDR or intrathecal baclofen in selected patients
  • Soft-tissue lengthening or bony surgery for fixed deformity
  • Single-event multilevel surgery when appropriate

Diagram

Cerebral palsy

Written/reviewed by Kishore Puthezhath

Professor of Orthopaedics and Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon

FRCS (Tr & Orth) revision resource

Reviewed: September 2026