Individuals With Cerebral Palsy “CHArmed” By Specialized Program
Children and Adolescent Hand and Arm (CHArm) Center Helps with Function and Mobility
NEW YORK—June 10, 2008
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.
About HSS | Hospital for Special Surgery
HSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics for 14 years in a row and No. 2 in rheumatology by U.S.News & World Report (2023-2024). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has one of the lowest infection rates in the country and was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center four consecutive times. The global standard total knee replacement was developed at HSS in 1969. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State. In addition, HSS opened a new facility in Florida in early 2020. In 2019, HSS provided care to 151,000 patients and performed more than 35,000 surgical procedures, and people from all 50 U.S. states and 89 countries travelled to receive care at HSS. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 translational research laboratories, 33 scientists, 10 clinician-scientists, 55 clinical investigators and 245 scientific support staff that drive the HSS research enterprise in the musculoskeletal “ecosystem,” neurology, pain management and rheumatic diseases. The HSS Innovation Institute was formed in 2016 to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is the world’s leading provider of education on musculoskeletal health, with its online learning platform offering more than 300 courses to more than 30,000 medical professional members worldwide. Through HSS Global Ventures, the institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally.
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