Individuals With Cerebral Palsy “CHArmed” By Specialized Program

NEW YORK—June 10, 2008

Fifteen-year-old Chris Gambro loves playing lacrosse, but because of his cerebral palsy he couldn’t fully use his right arm when playing. That all changed after Chris visited the Children and Adolescent Hand and Arm (CHArm) Center at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery.

After an in-depth consultation, Chris underwent surgery that relaxed his elbow muscles and lengthened his wrist muscles as well as the muscles between his thumb and first finger. Months later, the young lacrosse player had a greater range of mobility in his right arm and the ability to grip the lacrosse stick with his right hand.

The Cerebral Palsy and Neurological Upper Extremity (CPNUE) Program at the CHArm Center focuses on the orthopedic needs of the upper extremities for people like Chris, who have cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders. Through in-depth assessments and surgical reconstruction, when indicated, problems related to extremity posturing, hygiene and functional limitations are addressed in the shoulder, elbow, hand, digits and thumb. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of motor problems and physical disorders related to brain injury or to problems with brain growth. CP causes uncontrolled reflex movements and muscle tightness that may affect a part, a side, or the entire body, with varying severity.