Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Spastic Cerebral Palsy Explained

Spastic cerebral palsy comprises up to 80% of people diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP), making it the most common form of the condition. People with spastic cerebral palsy experience chronic hypertonia (tense muscles), along with muscle spasms when the muscles relax after being tense for prolonged periods of time. When this happens, patients will move in a jerky manner

Spastic CP is caused by trauma or injury to the motor cortex portion of the brain. This injury can occur in the womb before a person is born, during childbirth, or later in life. In some cases, spastic cerebral palsy is the result of preventable medical negligence during pregnancy or the birthing process.

“There are clues that something is wrong. Medical negligence happens when those warning signs are ignored.”

— Beth Carter, RN, On-Staff Legal Nurse Consultant Certified

The tenseness caused by hypertonia may impact half or the entire body. As a result, individuals may not have full control over the affected limbs. Muscles affected by spastic CP will not respond to a person’s desired actions due to the brain damage they have sustained.  This can understandably lead to frustration and have a big impact on a person’s physical abilities.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy Types

Spastic CP has different subtypes determined by where the symptoms occur. Subtypes include: spastic quadriplegia, spastic diplegia, or spastic hemiplegia.

Spastic Diplegia

Spastic diplegia is a subtype of spastic cerebral palsy that only impacts the lower half of the body. Infants and toddlers with spastic diplegia may have difficulty learning to walk, but most children eventually learn to walk using their toes instead of the whole foot.

The stiffness of their hip and leg muscles can cause their legs to exhibit “scissoring movements,” where their legs are turned inward and crossed at the knees when they attempt to walk.

Spastic Hemiplegia

Spastic hemiplegia occurs when symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy impact only the left or right side of the body. The symptoms can vary significantly from child to child, but children with spastic hemiplegia will naturally favor the side of the body that they can control.

One constantly clenched fist or limbs consistently tucked into one side of the body are common in children with spastic hemiplegia.

Symptoms can appear worse in the affected arm than in the leg.

Spastic Quadriplegia

Spastic quadriplegia is the most severe form of the condition, impacting all four limbs and the entire body. The effects of spastic quadriplegia become apparent early in life, as children will not develop as expected.

Parents will notice when their child fails to meet anticipated baby milestones, such as controlling their head and crawling within one year.

Intellectual disabilities and disorders involving delayed sight, hearing, and speech can be seen with spastic quadriplegia.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic cerebral palsy impacts a person’s balance and coordination. It is the rarest form of the condition, affecting only 1 in 10 people with cerebral palsy.

Many children with ataxic cerebral palsy will also experience “intention tremors,” in which their arms involuntarily shake as they try to reach for an object. Children with both spastic and ataxic cerebral palsy may have trouble walking and balancing while also experiencing stiff, jerky movements and intention tremors.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

The most notable symptom of spastic CP is movements that seem jerky and stiff.  Muscles in the body will also feel stiff to the touch. However, these aren’t the only symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy.

Compared to other subtypes of the condition, children with spastic quadriplegia are at a higher risk of limb and foot deformities, including scoliosis, as well as other medical conditions. People with spastic quadriplegia may also have trouble eating and swallowing if the condition impacts the throat muscles.

The most common symptoms of spastic CP include:

• Stiff muscles
• Heightened reflexes
• Involuntary movements
• Trouble walking or walking on toes
• Issues controlling fine motor skills
• Unable to fully stretch
• Difficulty eating or swallowing
• Favoring one side of the body
• Seizures (epilepsy)

Children with spastic cerebral palsy are unlikely to have all the symptoms listed above, as each subtype has different symptoms. The severity of a child’s condition will also influence the cerebral palsy symptoms that are present.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy Causes

Spastic CP occurs when neuron bundles in the brain or spinal cord are damaged. This damage interrupts the signals sent from the brain to the muscles in the body, making muscle movement more difficult.

The damage to bundles of neurons can be caused by:

• Birth injuries
  • Delayed C-section
  • Ignoring fetal distress
  • Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors
• Failure to treat illness during pregnancy
• Exposure to toxins during pregnancy
• Blood type incompatibility with the mother
• Untreated jaundice
• Direct trauma to the brain
• Brain bleeding
• Lack of oxygen to the brain
• Seizures

Babies born prematurely and babies with low birth weight are at the highest risk of developing spastic CP. However, it’s possible for any child to experience a brain injury that causes the condition.

Spastic CP Treatment and Therapy

Unfortunately, there is no current cure for spastic cerebral palsy, but there are treatment methods that can help reduce symptoms. Medical interventions, including surgery, medication, physical therapy, nutrition plans, and adaptive equipment like braces, are all tools that may be used to treat spastic cerebral palsy.

Treatment options for spastic cerebral palsy include:

• Botox injections
• Medications
• Nutritional guidance
• Orthotics, casts, and splints
• Spinal surgical implants
• Surgery (like selective dorsal rhizotomy)
• Therapy (like physical, speech, and occupational therapies)
• Walking aids

Helping your child as early as possible is critical to a positive outcome. Early intervention is proven to significantly improve the quality of life for someone with cerebral palsy.

Get Legal Help for Cerebral Palsy

If your child developed cerebral palsy due to a possible birth injury, get in touch with an attorney experienced in cerebral palsy cases. Financial compensation may be available to help cover the costs of medication, surgery, therapy, treatment, and any special needs expenses. Call the Birth Injury Justice Center today at (800) 914-1562 or get a free case review now.