Types of Cerebral Palsy

How Many Different Types of Cerebral Palsy Are There?

Individuals diagnosed with cerebral palsy can be affected in a number of different ways. In order to better treat the condition, it has been classified into spastic, ataxic, and athetoid palsy, based on common symptoms. Understanding these three types of cerebral palsy can help you seek appropriate treatment suited to your child's needs.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

As the most common form of the disorder, nearly 80% of cerebral palsy cases are classified as spastic cerebral palsy. This type of cerebral palsy is known to cause stiffness of movement on account of increased muscle tone. The condition is further divided into three categories based on its severity and how it affects the body.

• Spastic diplegia/diparesis primarily affects the patient's legs, and may or may not affect other parts of the body. Spastic diplegia is characterized by a stiff walking motion called "scissoring."
• Spastic hemiplegia/hemiparesis only impairs one side of a person's body, typically the arm. In addition to difficulty walking, the condition may cause scoliosis or seizures.
• Spastic quadriplegia/quadriparesis is the most debilitating form of the disorder, and often affects the entire body. A person with spastic quadriplegia is unlikely to walk and will experience difficulty with speech. Other problems range from seizures to intellectual limitations.

Ataxic and Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

The remaining types of cerebral palsy are less common, but still shape the lives of families throughout the nation. Ataxic cerebral palsy is known to cause difficulty with balance and coordination, in addition to limiting controlled movement. Walking and writing are among the tasks that may cause difficulty for a person with ataxic palsy. Limited depth perception may also affect a person with this condition.

Dyskinetic palsy involves a more extensive loss of muscular control. Hands, arms, feet, and/or legs may be affected by jerking movement. The face and tongue can also be affected. Depending on the exact symptoms experienced, a person may struggle with tasks such as walking, writing, speaking, and eating. Children may develop any of the above conditions, or may experience a combination of the three as they mature.

Know Your Legal Options - Call Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC

If your child has developed cerebral palsy due to a doctor's malpractice, you may be able to seek legal compensation. At Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, our Atlanta birth injury attorneys are dedicated to providing compassionate legal service to the families and individuals who have suffered on account of medical negligence.

We are knowledgeable and experienced, and stand among the top law firms in Georgia. Contact the birth injury lawyers at our Atlanta firm to discuss your options.