Movement Disorder Service

Botulinum toxin type A is a neurotoxin that can be used in small doses for treating stiff (spastic) muscles in some children with cerebral palsy, or other neuromuscular conditions. Botulinum toxin relaxes spastic muscles by blocking the nerve signals to the muscle fibres around the injection site. Improvements are usually seen within four weeks of treatment and the effects of the toxin can last for between three and 12 months. Repeated injections are usually required.

For further information please see the brochure:

Hip surveillance is the process of identifying and monitoring the early indicators of progressive hip displacement (movement of the head of the thigh bone out of the hip socket). Hip displacement has been found to occur more often in children with cerebral palsy and other similar physical disabilities. Early monitoring is required so children can be referred onto appropriate orthopaedic care if needed. All children with cerebral palsy, or like conditions, should be included in the hip surveillance program. The program is managed by the Movement Disorders Coordinator/Physiotherapist with Rehabilitation Consultants providing regular clinical reviews and requests for xrays as recommended by National Guidelines.

For further information, please see the brochure:

Intrathecal baclofen is a treatment that can be used to reduce spasticity (muscle stiffness) and/or dystonia (twisting movements, abnormal postures) in the muscles. Baclofen is a medicine that can help the muscles to relax, and is a medicine that can be taken orally. Intrathecal baclofen is when the medicine is delivered directly into the space around the spinal cord. This is done through a surgically implanted pump that is placed in the abdomen, with the pump connected to a thin tube that delivers the medicine to the spinal cord.

To help decide if intrathecal baclofen therapy is right for your child, your child’s Rehabilitation Specialist will request a multi-disciplinary assessment. This will be coordinated by a Movement Disorders Coordinator from within the Paediatric Rehabilitation Department. The assessments will be completed by a Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist, and may also include other health professionals such as a Social Worker or a Psychologist. Following these assessments, your child's results will be discussed with the Rehabilitation Specialists, the child and family, and a referral to a Neurosurgeon will be made if you would like to proceed further. In most cases, a test dose of intrathecal baclofen will then be required to determine if a pump should be implanted. For further information on this process, speak to your child’s Rehabilitation Specialist, or contact the Paediatric Rehabilitation Department on (08) 8161 7367 and ask to speak to the Movement Disorders Coordinator.

Further information

Intrathecal baclofen pump alarms

What do I do if we hear the intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump beeping?

The pump alarms are divided into either a critical alarm (two tone) or non-critical alarm (single tone).

Your rehabilitation specialist will demonstrate these alarms to you, prior to your child’s discharge, or click on the links below to listen to a demonstration.

If you hear the critical alarm you must bring your child to hospital immediately, or if it is not safe to do so, then call an ambulance.

If you hear the non-critical alarm, during office hours you should contact the Paediatric Rehabilitation team as soon as possible on 8161 7367. If it is after hours, please call the Hospital Switchboard on 8161 7000 and ask them to contact the On-Call Paediatric Rehabilitation Consultant.