Skip to content

How might the symptoms of my CP change over time? 

As you grow older, your body changes – this is true for everyone.

When you are living with CP, you might notice these changes happening sooner than your peers.

This section explains common health issues you could experience as a young person with CP and how these might change as you age.

Learning Objectives

By engaging with this section of the module, you will be able to:

1

Understand and describe the differences in aging with CP, and the implications on health and well-being.

2

Assess your spasticity and dystonia, recognising any changes over time.

3

Advocate for seeking professional help regarding pain management, feeling empowered to address your healthcare needs.

What you might notice as you get older?

Some people with CP can start to experience signs of getting older in their 20s. This is called premature ageing.

Here’s what you might notice:

Decreases in

🦵

How well you can move

💪

Your strength

🧘

Your flexibility

🏃

Your fitness level

Increases in

🔴

Falls

😖

Pain and Fatigue

🦴

Bone Fractures

🧠

Memory Problems

Why these changes happen?

These changes can happen for different reasons, such as:

Differences in how a muscle grows in a person with CP

Your muscles might be shorter and stiffer.

Wear and tear on joints and bones

Weak or tight muscles can put extra pressure on your bones and joints, leading to wear and tear.

Balance and movement

Issues with balance, reduced walking ability, poor fitness, and fear of falling can make things worse.

Being older, having more severe CP, having CP affecting more of your body , pain and fatigue all contribute to earlier ageing.  

Understanding these signs can help you be more aware of changes and talk with your healthcare professional about ways to manage them.