Hemiplegia is a condition characterized by paralysis on one side of the body, which directly interferes with a person’s quality of life, and should be treated quickly with physical therapy, mainly.
Hemiplegia may be the result of problems during pregnancy (congenital hemiplegia) or it may be the result of stroke or infections that affect the nervous system (acquired hemiplegia).Learn more about hemiplegia.
- Cerebral palsy is not considered a disease and generally has no progressive characteristics.
- Meaning that the patient still has the same difficulties because the area of the brain affected by paralysis and brain injury tends not to evolve.
Depending on the symptoms and their severity, hemiplegia can be classified into 4 main types:
In spastic hemiplegia, the muscles become stiff and weak and the person has difficulty talking and moving.Children with this type of hemiplegia often have joint deformities because there is no proper muscle development.
In this type of hemiplegia, the muscles move spontaneously, slowly, uncontrollably and have a sudden onset.
Atavic hemiplegia is a type of cerebral palsy that causes poor coordination and dangerous movements of the trunk and limbs, as well as muscle weakness and tremors.
In cerebral palsy classified as mixed, symptoms of more than one type of the aforementioned paralyzes are present in a single patient, usually a combination of choreoathetoid and spastic paralysis.
In the first symptoms of cerebral palsy of any kind, it is important to see your doctor so that the diagnosis can be made and the best treatment can be indicated.
Treatment is done to improve a person’s quality of life, and physical therapy is generally recommended to improve limb mobility, make the person more independent to perform daily activities, improve posture and prevent contractures.See how physiotherapy is done for hemiplegia.