Spastic quadriplegia, also known as spastic tetraplegia, is a subset of spastic cerebral palsy that affects all four limbs (both arms and legs). Compared to quadriplegia, spastic tetraplegia is defined by spasticity of the limbs as opposed to strict paralysis. It is distinguishable from other forms of cerebral palsy in that those afflicted with the condition display stiff, jerky movements stemming from hypertonia of the muscles.Spastic quadriplegia, while affecting all four limbs more or less equally, can still present parts of the body as stiffer than others, such as one arm being tighter than another arm, and so forth. Spastic triplegia, meanwhile, involves three limbs (such as one arm and two legs, or one leg and two arms, etc. ); spastic diplegia affects two limbs (commonly just the legs), spastic hemiplegia affects one or another entire side of the body (left or right); and spastic monoplegia involves a single limb. Symptoms and signs
Spastic quadriplegia can be detected by the abnormal development of motor skills in children. Symptoms can present themselves as early as three months but are generally seen before the child reaches two years of age. Some warning signs include: a child of more than two months who has stiff legs that scissor and is unable to control his or her head, and a child of more than twelve months who has not developed the ability to crawl or stand.Spastic quadriplegia also presents a range of symptoms that affect the musculature.
Treatment
Many doctors commonly recommend a combined treatment of a warm compress applied to the eyes (to relieve muscle tension, relax the muscles, and reduce swelling), a small dosage of antihistamine (to reduce any swelling that may be caused by an allergic reaction), increased bed rest and decreased exposure to computer screens, televisions, and harsh lighting (to allow muscles to rest), and monitoring caffeine intake (as too much caffeine can cause an adverse reaction such as eye twitching, but a controlled dose can serve as an effective treatment by increasing blood flow). Etymology
The term comes from the Greek -mŷs – "muscle," + kŷm, -kŷmia – "something swollen" or -kŷmos – "wave"). See also
Blepharospasm
Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency
Fasciculation
Myoclonic jerk (myoclonus)

References


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