Multi Center Project: Comparison of Functional Outcomes of Tendon Transfer Surgery, Botulinum Toxin Injections and Regular Ongoing Treatment in Hemiplegic Upper Extremity Cerebral Palsy

The specific aims of this study and the methodology for achieving them are:

1. To determine if tendon surgery for the forearm, wrist and thumb deformities of UECP is more effective than Botulinum toxin injections or regular ongoing treatment at improving function and quality of life for children with UECP. Children who are candidates for tendon surgery will be prospectively randomized to one of three treatment groups: standard tendon surgery, a series of three Botulinum toxin injections over a period of 12 months, and regular ongoing treatment. Validated tests of cognition, function and quality of life with tests of stereognosis and range of motion will be administered before, during and after treatment in order to compare outcomes of the three treatment groups.
2. To determine if serial Botulinum toxin injections have long-term beneficial effects on upper extremity function which outlast their paralytic effects.

Botulinum toxin has been shown to have beneficial effects on UE function while the muscles injected remain weakened by the toxin. Clinicians have theorized that improvements in UE function are maintained after the toxin wears off, but this has not been proven. Children randomized to the Botulinum toxin injection group will receive 3 injections. Their function will be tested before the first injection, while the paralytic results of the second injection are still in effect, and after the paralytic effects of the third injection have worn off, and the results compared in order to determine if functional improvements outlast the medicinal effects.