| |
Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy - Cerebral Palsy Affecting One Side of the BodyHemiplegic cerebral palsy or hemiplegia is a type of cerebral palsy that affects one arm and leg on the same side of the body. In case of most patients with hemiplegia, the arm is more disabled than the leg and the end of the limbs are the most affected areas. That is, the wrist and hand have the most disability but there is less trouble for the elbow and lesser for the shoulder. In the same way the ankle and foot exhibit more difficulties than
the knee.
Results of Hemiplegia:
The most common type of motor dysfunction in hemiplegic cerebral palsy is spasticity, which is complicated by the decreased growth of the affected muscles. Just like other forms of cerebral palsy, hemiplegia also results in shortened muscles. Patients face less range of movement and increased stiffness in the joints of the limbs concerned.
Symptoms of Hemiplegia:
Because of the natural variation in development, mild abnormalities are often unnoticed by either parents or pediatricians. The symptom that can be an initial clue is hand preference at an early age. In infants without any form of motor impairment, hand preference (left or right) is usually not established until 18-24 months of age. If the young infant consistently favors one hand over the other even if the toy or object is presented to the other hand, there may be a risk of hemiplegia.
How is it treated?
A full neurological evaluation is necessary after a patient is diagnosed with hemiplegia to determine if other conditions are present. As the child grows there are evaluations to see if any special braces or splints would aid the affected limb giving the child better use of both hands. While playing in the first year, the child should be given toys and other playthings that promote the use of two-handed manipulation and that encourage both hands to work together.
Children with hemiplegia usually start walking late and may also first start walking on tiptoe. But they may grow out of tiptoe-walking on their own. If they do not, there are special braces and devices that can help normalize their foot position. Except in the severe type of hemiplegic cerebral palsy, it is usual for the child to be able to walk.
Cerebral palsy statistics- Important Factor in Studying the Disorder
Cerebral Palsy or CP as it is commonly called is an umbrella like term use to describe a group of chronic disorders impairing movement control that appears in first few years of life and generally does not worsen over the time. The disorders are...
A Cerebral Palsy Patient- Most Common Form of This Disorder
The term cerebral palsy refers to the damage caused to the motor areas of the brain affecting the body movement and muscle co-ordination. It occurs to a child during infancy or after a short period of birth. It was first identified by an English...
Pathophysiology of cerebral palsy: General Information
Cerebral palsy can be termed as a static encephalopathy caused by an insult to the brain of the newborn baby during the prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal period. Cerebral palsy is a group of chronic disorders impairing control of movement. Cerebral...
Living With Cerebral Palsy-This is not the end.
Cerebral Palsy Cerebral Palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders that affect the normal functioning of the brain. It results from brain damage and generally affects an infant in the mother's womb, during or after childbirth. It is a...
Cerebral Palsy Association - Associations fighting for a cause.
Cerebral palsy or CP is the most common physical disability that occurs to a child mostly during birth. It is a permanent physical condition that affects birth. It refers to a group of disorders that affect the posture and also causing limitations...
|
|
|
|
|
