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The Center for Cerebral Palsy at OIC
Industry-Leading Expertise in Pediatric Cerebral Palsy
The Center for Cerebral Palsy at OIC is dedicated to improving motor function in children through early, novel diagnostics, comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment. Because cerebral palsy is a complex neurological disorder affecting various aspects of balance, strength, coordination and muscle tone, our team of medical experts takes an interdisciplinary approach to accomplishing its mission.
Why OIC for Cerebral Palsy
An Advanced Approach from Experienced Specialists
The Center for Cerebral Palsy at UCLA/OIC is renowned for excellence in clinical treatment, research and education. We are the premiere interdisciplinary clinic in Los Angeles that evaluates and treats individuals with cerebral palsy throughout the lifespan.
Our specialists see patients at 2 convenient locations and perform in-depth evaluations of movement disorders at the Kameron Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory. At the Lab, we are able to obtain an in-depth understanding of an affected individuals’ movement patterns – crucial information that informs treatment decisions such as orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, bracing and medication.
Our Cerebral Palsy Experts
At OIC, we take a collaborative approach to diagnosing and treating cerebral palsy. Our team of experts are led by:
Our physicians are supported by a specialized primary and extended* team of medical professionals exclusively focused on pediatric orthopedics. This team may include:
- Clinical Coordinator
- Physical Therapist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Developmental Pediatricians
- Neurologists
- Neurosurgeons
- Physical Therapist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Gastroenterologists
- Pulmonologists
- Ophthalmologists
- ENTs
*Extended team members work in collaboration with the Center through its affiliation with UCLA but are not on-site at every clinical appointment.
A Leader in Cerebral Palsy Research
The Center for Cerebral Palsy at UCLA/OIC is heavily involved in research in the field of cerebral palsy. Research includes early neuro-diagnostics in collaboration with the department of neurology at UCLA, early intervention in collaboration with United Cerebral Palsy, origins of muscle disease and malfunction, novel biologic treatment development, surgical efficacy through efforts at the Center’s gait lab and surgical preparedness and pain management.
Learn MoreComprehensive Cerebral Palsy Treatment
At the OIC Center for Cerebral Palsy, we diagnose and treat children with all types of cerebral palsy, including:
- Diplegia or bilateral
- Hemiplegia or unilateral
- Movement disorders
- Monoplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Spastic-type
- Triplegia
Treatment Programs as Individual as Your Patients
At OIC, our interdisciplinary approach creates a treatment plan that makes life easier for children with cerebral palsy and their families.
Our new patient appointments include consultations with an orthopedic surgeon, a physiatrist, a physical therapist and an orthotist, as well as a biomechanical assessment of motor impairments. Return appointments offer implementation and follow-up of treatment interventions.
We also make referrals to specialists in occupational and speech therapy, psychology, pain management, developmental pediatrics, gastroenterology, neurology, neurosurgery, developmental medicine, nutrition, ophthalmology, genetics, urology and osteoporosis.
We Take A Specialized Approach To Recovery
Therapy
Physical and occupational therapy are important parts of early intervention for children with cerebral palsy. CCS-paneled therapists in both fields with expertise in treating patients with neuromuscular diseases including cerebral palsy evaluate and treat patients at OIC’s department of physical and occupational therapy 5 days a week.
Orthopedic Surgery
Our pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Rachel Thompson, is the primary physician who cares for musculoskeletal problems associated with cerebral palsy. One of her main roles is to monitor the development of a child’s musculoskeletal system, including the hips and spine, until they are fully grown, to recommend appropriate interventions when necessary and perform surgery when other, less invasive, modalities have been exhausted.
Spasticity Management
In addition to orthopedic surgery, therapy and bracing, we offer spasticity management treatments that can increase ease of movement and decrease unwanted muscle activity in children. These treatments include in-clinic neurotoxin injections (Botox and Dysport), intrathecal Baclofen pump insertion and management and selective posterior rhizotomy in consultation with our neurosurgery colleagues at UCLA.
LA’s Top Physicians Trust OIC with Their Patients
For more than 100 years, we’ve set the standard in patient care, research and education.
Referring to OIC