A child with a spastic CP diagnosis will likely be referred to screening for other conditions associated with spastic cerebral palsy such as epilepsy (seizure disorder), intellectual disability, and visual impairment. Types
Scientific classifications
The types of spastic cerebral palsy are generally distinguished by the primary areas of the body that are affected. Spastic hemiplegia Hemiplegia is a type of cerebral palsy affecting one vertical half of the body (such as one arm and one leg). The affected side of the body is opposite the affected area of the brain in hemiplegia. For example, if the right side of the brain is damaged, the person will have weakness or paralysis on the left side of the body. People with hemiplegia typically favor an arm or hand and may keep the weaker hand in a fist. Typically, people that have spastic hemiplegia are the most ambulatory of all the forms, although they generally have dynamic equinus (a limping instability) on the affected side and are primarily prescribed ankle-foot orthoses to prevent said equinus. Spastic diplegia describes spastic CP in which muscle tightness predominantly occurs in the legs. The arms may be somewhat affected or not affected at all. Spastic monoplegia is one single limb being affected. Spastic triplegia is three limbs being affected. Spastic quadriplegia is all four limbs more or less equally affected. People with spastic quadriplegia are rarely able to ambulate without assistance and may not stand at all.
Spastic cerebral palsy is the type of cerebral palsy characterized by spasticity or high muscle tone often resulting in stiff, jerky movements. Cases of spastic CP are further classified according to the part or parts of the body that are most affected. Such classifications include spastic diplegia, spastic hemiplegia, spastic quadriplegia, and in cases of single limb involvement, spastic monoplegia.Spastic cerebral palsy affects the motor cortex of the brain, a specific portion of the cerebral cortex responsible for the planning and completion of voluntary movement. Spastic CP is the most common type of overall cerebral palsy, representing roughly 80% of cases. Spastic CP is a permanent condition and will affect an individual across the lifespan. The brain injury that causes spastic CP remains stable over time, but the way spasticity affects a person can change. For example, with age they may develop bone deformities from the pull of spastic muscles, muscular deterioration, and loss of range of motion in a joint. Thus, individuals with spastic CP often have different support needs with time. Signs and symptoms
People with the spastic type of CP typically have muscles that are "tight" or stiff due to high muscle tone. Symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy vary as the disability can affect individuals differently. However, they typically appear in infancy and early childhood and most children are diagnosed in the first two years of life. The main indicator of spastic cerebral palsy is a delay in reaching motor milestones.