It is an “accepted medical fact” that teenagers with Cerebal Palsy
grow larger, grow taller, gain weight, and become weaker and lose mobility. Matthew
and his family challenged this accepted wisdom, came to the Magee Clinic and requested
a more active intervention program. He was started on Threshold Electrical Stimulation
(TES) and a home based exercise program augmented by Surface EMG Biofeedback.
Please note that Matthew’s videotape has been included in the Tiniest
Steps Video as the last patient.
As Matthew went into puberty, he grew rapidly, gained weight and lost function,
just as common medical wisdom predicted. Additionally, he developed very significant
pain in his knees and ankles. His surgeon evaluated him and gave the family
the bad news. Matthew was too weak to undergo corrective surgery. The surgeon
feared that if he operated at that time, there was a reasonable chance (greater
than 50%) that he would never walk again. As a last ditch, nothing to lose effort,
his father brought him to the Magee Clinic to see what “the shock doc”
could accomplish.
Matthew was one of the early users of Threshold Electrical Stimulation (TES).
He went home with a Threshold Electrical Stimulation unit and a custom designed
progressive rehabilitation program that he and his father could do at home.
His father, a military man, worked out with Matt on a daily basis, gradually
creating a home gym in their house. Within a year, he had retired his wheelchair
and used his walker for community ambulation.
On evaluation, by the same orthopedic surgeon, he was felt to be strong enough
to undergo the orthopedic surgery he needed to restore straight legs and biomechanical
alignment. His surgical recovery was very quick, and within six months of surgery,
Matthew had regained all of his previous strength and skills. He had progressed
to walking independently in the house and with crutches in the community. Pain
was diminished significantly as well.
His case history is a very good example of the TASC Network approach of treating
the most important problem first. Teenagers go into surgery with very weak muscles.
Their recovery time is prolonged and not nearly as effective. Matthew demonstrates
the value of Threshold Electrical Stimulation (TES), committed home exercise,
and excellent surgical intervention, all working together to create a much more
independent adult.
For more Information on Threshold Electrical Stimulation (TES) (click here)
Important Notice:
The TASC Network is an information only site. Individual medical advice is
not given. If you have questions that relate to your personal situation or your
child's care, please print the article and take it to your health care professional
with your questions.
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