https://www.pretoriacentreforcp.co.za/

Pretoria Centre for Cerebral Palsy, Life Groenkloof Hospital, 50 George Storrar Drive, Groenkloof, Pretoria (2025)

03/05/2025

🌟 Understanding the GMFCS - Level V 🌟

As we wrap up our GMFCS awareness series at PCCP, today we focus on Level V - the level for children who have the most significant physical challenges. 💚

👉 What is GMFCS Level V?
Children at Level V experience severe limitations in voluntary movement and require full support in almost all areas of mobility and daily care. They depend on caregivers and specialized equipment to move, sit, and maintain head and body alignment. 🧑‍🦼💙

✨ Highlights by Age:
👶 Before 2 years: Limited voluntary movement; need help holding their head up, rolling over, and sitting.
👧 2-4 years: Mobility remains minimal; specialised wheelchairs with extensive adaptations are required.
👦 4-6 years: No functional improvement without support; full assistance for mobility is still needed.
🧒 6-12 years: Some may learn to use an electric wheelchair independently; others still need help with transfers and positioning.
🧑 12-18 years: Require a manual wheelchair with assistance or specialized controls for mobility; mechanical lifts may be necessary for safe transfers.

💬 If you believe your child might have cerebral palsy, early diagnosis and classification using the GMFCS is vital. It helps direct the right care plan, therapies, and adaptive technologies for your child’s unique needs.

📚 Learn more about cerebral palsy care and support for parents: www.pretoriacentreforcp.co.za

02/05/2025

🌟 Understanding the GMFCS - Level IV 🌟

As part of our GMFCS awareness series at PCCP, today we are focusing on Level IV. 💚

👉 What is GMFCS Level IV?
Children at Level IV have some mobility, but require adaptive equipment and hands-on support for daily activities. Independence is nurtured with the right assistive devices and a supportive care team! 🦽💪

✨ Highlights by Age:
👶 Before 2 years: Good head control, can roll back and forth independently, but need adult help to sit up.
👧 2-4 years: Able to sit using their hands for support; require adaptive equipment for sitting and standing; prefer crawling to move around.
👦 4-6 years: May walk short distances with a walker but struggle with balance and coordination - monitoring is essential.
🧒 6-12 years: Increased reliance on mobility aids like wheelchairs, especially in school settings.
🧑 12-18 years: Require self-propelled wheelchairs and adaptive seating; assistance is needed for transfers and participating in activities.

🌟 With the right mobility aids, therapy, and adaptations, children at Level IV can experience greater comfort, participation, and independence in daily life! 💚

📚 Explore more resources and tips for parents at: www.pretoriacentreforcp.co.za

01/05/2025

🌟 Understanding the GMFCS - Level III 🌟

Continuing our GMFCS series this week at PCCP, today we are focusing on Level III. 💚

The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) helps parents and professionals understand how children with cerebral palsy move and what support they may need at different stages of life.

👉 Today’s Focus: GMFCS Level III
Children at Level III are able to walk with assistive devices for short distances but will often require a wheelchair for longer distances. 🚶‍♂️♿

✨ Highlights by Age:
👶 Before 2 years: Need continuous support to sit; can roll and push forward on their bellies.
👧 2-4 years: Prefer crawling on hands and knees; can pull to stand and cruise short distances with support; may walk short distances with a walker.
👦 4-6 years: Can sit in a chair with trunk support; stand and climb stairs with assistance; walking requires either an adult’s help or a mobility device.
🧒 6-12 years: Can walk indoors and outdoors with a hand-held mobility device but need a wheelchair for longer distances; require a seatbelt for stability when seated.
🧑 12-18 years: Use hand-held mobility aids and powered/self-propelled wheelchairs at school; need assistance for transfers and support for balance when seated.

With the right mobility aids, therapy, and support, children at Level III can achieve greater independence and actively participate in daily activities. 🌟

📚 Want more tips and insights for parents? Read the full guide here: www.pretoriacentreforcp.co.za

30/04/2025

👉 Today’s Focus: GMFCS Level II

Children at Level II can walk in most settings, but they may need a little extra support for balance, endurance, or distance. 🚶‍♂️🛠️

✨ Highlights by Age:
👶 Before 2 years: Need their hands for balance when sitting; some crawl or pull to stand.
👧 2-4 years: Move in and out of sitting independently; walk using an assistive device.
👦 4-6 years: Can walk short distances without help, climb stairs with a railing, but cannot yet run or jump.
🧒 6-12 years: Walk indoors and outdoors with little assistance but need support for long distances or uneven surfaces.
🧑 12-18 years: Independent walking in many environments; likely use a mobility device for longer distances or sports.

At Level II, children achieve wonderful independence, but thoughtful support, assistive devices, and therapy remain important to help them thrive and participate fully in daily life. 🌟

📚 Want more expert insights for parents? Read our full guide here: www.pretoriacentreforcp.co.za

29/04/2025

🌟 This Week at PCCP: Understanding the GMFCS! 🌟

Parents, ever heard of the GMFCS? 🤔The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) is a tool used to describe the different levels of mobilityin children with cerebral palsy (CP). It helps doctors, therapists, and families understand how a child moves, what support they may need, and how their motor skills might change over time.

👉 Today’s Focus: GMFCS Level IChildren at Level I can walk without restrictions. 🏃‍♂️💨They may experience slight challenges with speed, balance, or coordination, especially during running, jumping, or climbing, but overall they move independently without assistive devices.

💬 Knowing your child's GMFCS level helps create the right therapy plan and set realistic goals for mobility and independence. 💚
Stay tuned for our next posts where we'll explore Levels II-V!📚

Learn more on our website: www.pretoriacentreforcp.co.za

15/04/2025

🌱 Nourishing Little Lives at PCCP 🍽️💚

At the Pretoria Centre for Cerebral Palsy, our nutritional counselor plays a vital role in your child's care journey.

🧠🍎 From evaluating and planning to educating and supporting, our nutrition experts: ✅ Create individualized diet plans tailored to each child's needs
✅ Consider important factors like cultural background, allergies, intolerances, and health conditions
✅ Use tools like skinfold measurements to monitor growth and nutritional status
✅ Educate parents and caregivers so nutritional goals can be supported at home and school
✅ Perform regular monitoring and evaluations to ensure progress

Because good nutrition isn't just about food - it's about fuelling growth, development, and brighter futures! 🌈💪

📲 Learn more about how we support children with CP holistically on our website.

www.pretoriacentreforcp.co.za

02/04/2025

5-Year-Old with Left Hip Dislocation - Surgical Correction & Results 🩻

📅 Surgery Date: November 2022
👩🏻‍⚕️ Surgery performed by Dr. Denise Potgieter

Procedures Performed:

✅ Femoral Varus Osteotomy - Left hip
✅ Single-Event Multilevel Surgery (SEMLS):

🔹 Left adductor lengthening
🔹 Left iliopsoas and re**us femoris Z-lengthening
🔹 Bilateral hamstring lengthening

✨ Post-Surgery Results:

The X-rays show a well-reduced and stable hip, demonstrating significant improvement in alignment and positioning. This surgical intervention has helped enhance mobility and comfort, ensuring better long-term outcomes for our young patient.

Stay tuned for more results.

26/03/2025

🌟 Important Care Reminder 🌟

False Frequent Remark: “It would be better for you to place your child in a special care center and continue with your life. There is nothing anybody could do for your child.” 🚫

This is not true! When placing your child in a special care center, it's crucial to continue yearly surveillance by an orthopaedic surgeon 🩺. Children in more severe groups (4 and 5) are at a higher risk of hip and spine issues 🦴.

A well-equipped care center should have physiotherapists and occupational therapists 🧑‍⚕️👩‍⚕️, and they must prioritize regular orthopaedic assessments to ensure your child/adult patient gets the best care possible 💪.

Remember: Nobody should ever tell you, “There is nothing that can be done for your child” 💙✨.

19/03/2025

💉 Surgery vs. Botox for Cerebral Palsy - What Parents Need to Know! 💡

When it comes to managing cerebral palsy, there is NO one-size-fits-all solution! 🚨

✅ Botox injections can be a valuable short-term option for young children across all CP classifications (1-5). They temporarily relax tight muscles, allowing physiotherapists to improve range of motion and help children reach important developmental milestones.

⏳ But here's the key:

👉 Prolonged, repeated Botox injections are not recommended for children with the potential for independent or assisted walking.
👉 A maximum of 3 Botox sessions is advised for the lower limbs in children with spastic diplegia.

💡 When is surgery considered?

Parents often notice that subsequent Botox sessions are less effective than the first one. This is a strong indicator that it may be time to discuss surgical options to correct muscle imbalances and improve long-term mobility.

🔗 Want to learn more? Read our full guide for parents on CP management here:
👉 https://pretoriacentreforcp.co.za/guidelines-for-parents/

18/03/2025

One of the most common questions we hear is:
💭 "If the damage is in the brain, why would a doctor suggest limb surgery?"

💡 Here’s why: While cerebral palsy originates in the brain 🧠, its effects on muscle tone and movement can lead to gradual deformities in the joints and limbs. Over time, certain muscles overpower others, making movement difficult and even painful.

🔹 Example: Our hamstrings (which flex our knees) often become too tight, making it hard to stand, walk, or even sit comfortably in a wheelchair. This can cause contractures, hip dislocations, and scoliosis.

🩺 How can surgery help?

Surgical procedures, such as muscle releases or tendon lengthening, correct these secondary issues, improving comfort, mobility, and quality of life. Physiotherapy is essential, but it cannot reverse structural deformities once they have developed.

📖 Read the full answer and more essential tips on our website! 👇

https://pretoriacentreforcp.co.za/guidelines-for-parents/

17/03/2025

Management by an orthopaedic surgeon is NOT about walking! Yes, level 1, 2 and even 3, children will be able to walk, be it only household walking with aids, as in level 3 children, BUT the most important reasons to see the orthopaedic surgeon are the following:

‼️ MOST IMPORTANT ‼️

My child’s hip joints. This is the single area that causes most of the eventual debilitating complications due to dislocation of one or both hips.

Why does this happen? 🤷‍♀️

Cerebral palsy causes increased muscle tone. Some muscle groups are better supplied as far as muscle volume is concerned, for the way we are supposed to walk and work with our hands.

Example:

Your thumb is richly supplied with small so called intrinsic muscle for fine pinch actions, grasping objects etc. When the muscles have increased tone, the thumb moves into the palm and eventually causes severe problems.

📝 Read the full answer to the question and more guidelines for parents here: 🔗 https://pretoriacentreforcp.co.za/guidelines-for-parents/

At PCCP, our multidisciplinary team works together to provide a holistic treatment plan, ensuring that children receive the best possible care under one roof.

💙 Empower your child’s journey with expert care!

13/03/2025

Celebrating Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month at PCCP! 💚

March is dedicated to raising awareness about cerebral palsy, and our team at the Pretoria Centre for Cerebral Palsy is proud to stand in support of the incredible children and families we work with every day.

Meet our dedicated team:
✨ Carla Du Plessis - Physiotherapist Carla du Plessis Physiotherapy
✨ Dr. Denise Potgieter - Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon
✨ Lezel Pretorius - Receptionist
✨ Jacques Terry - Orthotist

Together, we are committed to providing expert care, rehabilitation, and support to help children with CP thrive. 💪🌱

Join us in spreading awareness and celebrating the strength, resilience, and progress of those living with CP. 💚

Pretoria Centre for Cerebral Palsy

03/05/2025

02/05/2025

01/05/2025

30/04/2025

29/04/2025

15/04/2025

02/04/2025

26/03/2025

19/03/2025

18/03/2025

17/03/2025

13/03/2025

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category