How Does Spastic Cerebral Palsy Affect Muscles and Joints?

Spastic cerebral palsy is one of the most common forms of cerebral palsy. It accounts for nearly 80 percent of all cerebral palsy cases. Those that suffer from it have stiff muscles that stay in an extended contracted state and, as a result, normal movement is difficult and can result in permanent joint damage.

The muscles of the legs and arms are most often the most affected parts of someone who suffers from spastic cerebral palsy. There are, however, a few variations of spastic CP.

Spastic diplegia is a type of spastic cerebral palsy where the legs' muscles are tightened and cause the legs to cross at the knee. Those who are affected by spastic diplegia will experience a stiffness in their legs when they try to walk.

Spastic hemiplegia is a term that refers to when the limbs of one half of the body is affected. The way that doctors identify spastic hemiplegia is by examining an infants hand preference. A normal baby will not show a hand preference when they are less than 1 year old, while an infant affected with spastic hemiplegia will prefer the side of the body that has been affected.

There are a few different treatments for individuals with spastic cerebral palsy and they typically involve either surgery or physical therapy, or both. In physical therapy, the joints are exercised so that they do not become immobile. It is crucial for muscles and joints to receive exercise so that they do not become stiff and cause range of motion to be reduced.

For more information about cerebral palsy treatments visit http://www.ucp.org/

Did you know that these types of cerebral palsy may be the result of medical malpractice? If you believe that your child's cerebral palsy may be the result of someone's negligence, contact a cerebral palsy attorney right away by calling 1 800 ATTORNEY.