Spastic Hemiplegia–Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

Spastic Hemiplegia breaks down the medical complexity of the condition into a clear, lifelong roadmap, combining world-class clinical expertise with lived experiences to empower all those involved from diagnosis to adulthood.

Whether you are an individual navigating your own care, a parent or family member supporting a loved one, or a healthcare professional looking for a broader perspective, this practical guide offers the expert-backed clarity needed to manage spina bifida with confidence.

“As relevant to doctors and health professionals as it is to people with cerebral palsy and their families.”

—NADIA BADAWI, AM

“This book gets my highest recommendation.”

—NATHALIE MAITRE, MD, PhD, PARENT

“Wow! This book is the most amazing and comprehensive source of information available for persons with unilateral CP and their families I have ever seen, and it should be required reading for any professionals who care for them.”

—DIANE DAMIANO, PhD, FAPTA

“A must-read for all.”

—BENJAMIN SHORE, MD, MPH, FRCSC

Key features:

• Clinical excellence: Delivers detailed medical insights and best-practice evidence-based treatment options.
• Holistic perspective: Explores how spina bifida impacts development, participation, and overall quality of life.
• Lifelong focus: Provides tailored guidance that evolves alongside the needs of children, adolescents, and adults.
• Empowered outcomes: Equips families with the tools and confidence to partner effectively with healthcare teams for optimal long-term health.

The Gillette Children’s Healthcare Series distills medical complexity into clear, actionable roadmaps for childhood-acquired physical and neurological conditions. By bridging the gap between clinical research and daily reality, this definitive collection provides a vital guide for those living with a lifelong condition.

Whether you are an individual navigating your own health journey, a parent or family member supporting a loved one, or a healthcare professional seeking a broader multidisciplinary perspective, this series provides the expert-backed clarity needed to manage the condition with confidence.

Co-published by Mac Keith Press and Gillette Children’s Healthcare Press, the series is built on a foundation of collaborative expertise. Every book combines evidence-based, best-practice treatments led by medical specialists with the invaluable lived experiences of individuals and families.

You can now purchase the complete Gillette Children’s Healthcare Series bundle at a 30% discount via this link.

Other titles in the series include:

• Craniosynostosis
• Idiopathic Scoliosis
• Spastic Quadriplegia–Bilateral Cerebral Palsy
• Spastic Diplegia–Bilateral Cerebral Palsy, second edition
• Epilepsy
• Spina Bifida
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Scoliosis: Congenital, Neuromuscular, Syndromic, and Other Causes

Authors and Editors

Series Foreword

Series Introduction

1. Cerebral Palsy

1.1.        Introduction

1.2.        The nervous system

1.3.        Causes, risk factors, and prevalence

1.4.        Diagnosis

1.5.        Function

1.6.        Classification based on predominant motor type and topography

1.7.        Classification based on functional ability

1.8.        The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

               Key points Chapter 1

2. Spastic Hemiplegia

2.1.        Introduction

2.2.        The brain injury

2.3.        Growth

2.4.        Bones, joints, muscles, and movements

With Ariana Peterson and Jean Stout

2.5.        Typical hand function and typical walking

2.6.        Primary problems

2.7.        Secondary problems

2.8.        Tertiary problems

2.9.        Motor function in individuals with spastic hemiplegia

2.10.     Associated problems

Key points Chapter 2

3. Management and Treatment of Spastic Hemiplegia to Age 20

3.1.        Introduction

3.2.        What does best practice look like?

3.3.        Overall management philosophy

3.4.        Therapies

With Susan Ellerbusch Toavs, Candice Johnson, and Amy Schulz

3.5.        The home program

With Candice Johnson and Amy Schulz

3.6.        Assistive technology

With Candice Johnson, Kaitlin Lewis, Kathryn Pimentel, and Amy Schulz

3.7.        Tone reduction

3.8.        Orthopedic surgery

With Tom F. Novacheck, Jean Stout, and Ann Van Heest

3.9.        Managing associated problems

3.10.     Alternative and complementary treatments

3.11.     Community integration, education, independence, and transition

With Tori Bahr

Key points Chapter 3

4. The Adult with Spastic Hemiplegia

4.1.        Introduction

4.2.        Aging in the typical population

4.3.        Aging with spastic hemiplegia

4.4.        Management and treatment of spastic hemiplegia in adulthood

With Jill Gettings and Lee Schuh

Key points Chapter 4

5. Living with Spastic Hemiplegia

6. Further reading and research

With Elizabeth R. Boyer

Acknowledgments

Appendices (online)

Appendix 1.       Measurement tools

Appendix 2.       Scoliosis management

Appendix 3.       Positioning

Appendix 4.       Exercise and physical activity

Appendix 5.       Selective dorsal rhizotomy

Appendix 6.       Gait analysis

Appendix 7.       Rehabilitation after single-event multilevel surgery

Appendix 8.       Epilepsy management

Glossary

References

Index