Ask a doctor - Is spastic hemiplegia a part of cerebral palsy?

Q. Is spastic hemiplegia a part of cerebral palsy?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Yes, spastic hemiplegia is a type of cerebral palsy. It is a form of neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects the movement and posture of one side of the body.

Spastic hemiplegia occurs when there is an abnormality in the brain's motor cortex or basal ganglia due to a disruption in normal brain development, usually before birth. This disability affects muscles on one side of the body, often causing them to become stiff and weak. Symptoms may include limited control over fine motor activities such as writing and eating, difficulty with balance and coordination, increased muscle tone (hypertonicity), exaggerated reflexes (spasticity), difficulty walking or even crawling, abnormal gait patterns including scissoring or toe walking, decreased muscle strength in certain areas such as arms and legs, changes in muscle length or size called contractures, differences between two sides at rest or during movement like arm crossing syndrome where one arm crosses over the other when attempting movements both sides simultaneously.

It’s important for people living with spastic hemiplegia to receive physical therapy tailored toward their individual needs - such therapy can help maximize physical potential by addressing coordination difficulties and developing proper technique so that patients can perform daily activities with greater ease; it helps improve range-of-motion through stretching programs designed specifically for individuals; it also helps strengthen weak muscles while avoiding aggravation to tight ones; finally it promotes healthy development through regular practice sessions experimenting with different activities within everyday environments like school playgrounds.

Overall spastic hemiplegia can cause many unique challenges but with right support system those living with this disorder can have higher quality of life!