Cerebral palsy – Spastic syndromes

 

 

This is consist of 70% of all cerebral palsy cases. The lesion occur at upper motor neuron.

 

It will affects the motor function and the patient may have hemiplegia, paraplegia, quadriplegia or diplegia. The affected limbs will be underdeveloped and have hypertonia. The limbs will be weak and have tendency towards contractures.The patients usually have a scissors gait (if he/she able to walk). Toe walking is a characteristic of this type of cerebral palsy.

 

In milder case, the impairment may only occur during certain activities ( for example during running)

With patient who is quadriplegia (all 4 limbs involvement), dysarthria is common.

 

For diagnosis and management, click here.

 

Reference:

  1. The Great Ormond Street Colour Handbook of Paediatrics and child Health. Manson Publishing. 2007.

  2. Oxford Handbook of General Practice. Oxford University Press. 2005.