Gaining muscle mass on affected limbs

AlejandraTR17

Hi, everyone! Have people been able to gain muscle mass in their affected limbs (i.e, legs, given spastic diplegia) with PT and/or exercise? Is it possible? Thanks!

Richard_Scope

Hi @AlejandraTR17
Yes, it's absolutely possible using weight and resistance training plus swimming. I go to the gym regularly and I have found it to be very beneficial for my weaker limbs. I was lucky enough to find a personal trainer who designed an exercise regime for me. 

Chloe_Scope

Hi @AlejandraTR17, I have CP that prominently affects my left size. My left leg is thinner then my right but (pre-covid) I found that swimming helped.

janer1967

Hi @AlejandraTR17 Welcome to the community glad you have joined us here

I will tag in another member @chiarieds who may be able to help you with her experience

AlejandraTR17

Thank you all so much! @Richard_Scope @janer1967 @Chloe_Scope

chiarieds

Hi @AlejandraTR17 - sorry for the delay in replying, for some reason I could only get on the online community very briefly yesterday afternoon. Thank you for the tag @janer1967.

I read you've just had surgery to stretch your hip abductor muscles, so I hope this would be followed up by physiotherapy. As mentioned above, swimming is one of the best exercises as it is rhythmical in nature. As far as your abductors go, you would need to start slowly, & build up gradually, and maintain gentle stretches as well as your core strength. Are you able to see a physiotherapist who specialises in neurological problems?

WestHam06

Hi @AlejandraTR17, 
                                 How are you? In answer to your question, yes it is possible. In agreement with many of the replies to your question, swimming is a great way to achieve this along with physio. A little like @Richard_Scope has said weight and resistance training is also beneficial. I was also lucky enough to have a gym instructor as well who built a programme around my needs. I hope that this helps and please let us know how things progress. Thank you. 

AlejandraTR17

@chiarieds, thank you so much for checking up on the adductor surgery. Feel very supported
It was a SEMLS and they also did femoral derotation and all kinds of procedures. So I'll start physio when the casts come off both legs on Oct 2! I will be able to see a neuro specialist,


Big thanks to both @chiarieds and  @WestHam06 -- I'd always been shy with gym trainers about my specific needs, thinking "all exercise is great," which is true, but it makes sense to ask for specific things -- core, abductors, etc. Thank you both!

chiarieds

You are very welcome @AlejandraTR17 - I worked as a physio a long time ago specialising in children who had cerebral palsy. Since joining Scope a year ago, I now realise how cerebral palsy can impact greatly on adults' lives; something I didn't think about then, as I was just trying to help children as much as I could.

I have, however, maintained an interest in neurological problems..... just as well, as myself and family have a genetic disorder + a neurological component!

I am pleased you will be able to get appropriate physio, & I bet you can't wait for the 2nd of October. Please kindly let us know how you get on.

WestHam06

Hi @AlejandraTR17, 
                                 No problem and please let us know how you get on. Please feel free to ask anymore questions. Best wishes with you physio appointment. Thank you