Management of Upper Extremity Manifestations of Cerebral Palsy Current Concept Review

Abstract

This current concept review serves as an introduction and basis for the evaluation and treatment of upper extremity dysfunction in cerebral palsy.  This article will provide a background on the management of the upper extremity manifestations of cerebral palsy following on from our lower extremity tutorial on the treatment of gait abnormalities in cerebral palsy last year. In this review we will discuss one approach to the classification, assessment, and current management modalities, nonoperative and operative. In successive editions of JPOSNA we will present panel discussions of patients with classic presentations and their treatment. Our hope is that upper extremity care will be a parallel consideration for all patients with cerebral palsy.