Understanding Choreoathetoid Cerebral Palsy: Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyer Explains

Choreoathetoid Cerebral Palsy is a Devastating Condition Which May be Caused by Oregon Medical Malpractice

 

Cerebral palsy is a disorder which impairs functions many basic functions that we may take for granted.  This includes sight, movement, hearing, cognition, balance, and other coordination or processing functions.  Cerebral palsy is caused by injuries to the brain during gestation or birth or shortly after birth.  The most common cause is a lack of oxygen to the brain, known as hypoxia, which damages the brain tissue or prevents its development.  Hypoxic conditions to a newborn can be the result of several different causes, including fetal distress, umbilical cord rupture, excessive contractions, or Oregon medical malpractice.

 

Choreoathetoid cerebral palsy is a type or subset of cerebral palsy which is characterized by uncoordinated, irregular, and repetitive movements.  Generally muscle tone and function is also disrupted.  The movements can be constant and continuous, which result in a high caloric need due to the continuous muscle flexion and movement.  The contractions can be unpredictable and uncontrollable, or lacking in small motor function but otherwise controllable.  Movements are commonly described as twisting and curving.  

 

Some common symptoms of Choreoathetoid cerebral palsy include the following:

 

• Seizures – this may be small or trembling seizures, or full-out seizures causing life-threatening convulsions;
• Muscle tightness or spasticity – muscles could be extremely tight and rigid not allowing for bending or movement, or they can be extremely loos and soft which may not allow the to function properly
• Cognitive and developmental delays – Cerebral palsy affects the brain, and it is common for there to be mild to severe speech, processing, memory, and language issues;
• Difficulty eating, swallowing, drinking, digestion, constipation, and other related issues;
• Vision problems; and
• Many other symptoms.

 

Gauging the Severity of Choreoathetoid Cerebral Palsy

 

There are generally four standards of cerebral palsy, the first being no cerebral palsy.  The other types of cerebral palsy range from mild to severe.  The more severe the cerebral palsy, the more damage that was caused to the brain during the development of it.  

 

The range of cerebral palsy includes the following:

 

• Mild – the patient can move without assistance and his or her daily activities are not limited, but there will still be some functioning or movement issues caused by the cerebral palsy;
• Moderate – the patient will need braces, ambulatory devices, medication, and other assistance for the patient’s daily activities; and
• Severe – the patent will be wheelchair bound and have significant challenges to carry out his or her normal and customary daily activities, which may not be possible without extensive assistance.

 

Families with a Child Suffering from Choreoathetoid Cerebral Palsy Should Get Answers to Their Questions

 

If your child has been diagnosed with choreoathetoid cerebral palsy, you probably have more questions than answers.  While there is a wide range of natural causes to cerebral palsy, including genetics, which cannot be guarded against or healed, there are some causes of cerebral palsy which may be preventable and due to Oregon medical malpractice.  Families with a loved one who has choreoathetoid cerebral palsy should call Kuhlman Law, LLC to learn how we can help provide you some answers to your loved one’s condition.

 

We handle cases throughout Oregon and Central Oregon, including Deschutes County, Redmond, Sisters, La Pine, Madras, Prineville, The Dalles, Hood River, Clackamas, Corvallis, Albany, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tigard, Salem, Portland, Hillsboro, Vancouver, Washington, Beaverton, Oregon City, Eugene, Coos Bay, Astoria, Newport, Pendleton, Tillamook,  Milwaukie, Gresham, Hillsboro, Medford, and any other city, including Bend, Oregon where our main law office is located, please call Kuhlman Law, LLC by dialing (541) 385-1999 to learn what your rights to compensation you may have.  You may also contact us using our easy and convenient “contact us” box at the bottom of our website.  If we accept your case, we will conduct a thorough investigation to get you the answers you deserve, all for free.  There is no risk, and you only pay us if we recover compensation for you.