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TYPES OF CEREBRAL PALSY
Most doctors that deal with patients with cerebral palsy classify cerebral palsy into four broad categories -- spastic, athetoid, ataxic, and mixed forms -- according to the type of movement disturbances.
Spastic Cerebral Palsy. In this form of cerebral palsy, which affects 70 to 80 percent of patients, the muscles are stiffly and permanently contracted. Doctors will often describe which type of spastic cerebral palsy a patient has based on which limbs are affected. The spasticity is due to upper motor neuron involvement and may mildly or severely affect motor function. The affected limbs appear stiff and difficult to move. These limbs are usually underdeveloped and show increased deep tendon reflexes and muscular hypertonicity, weakness and a tendency to contracturesThe names given to these types combine a Latin description of affected limbs with the term plegia or paresis, meaning paralyzed or weak. When both legs are affected by spasticity, they may turn in and cross at the knees. As these individuals walk, their legs move awkwardly and stiffly and nearly touch at the knees. This causes a characteristic walking rhythm, known as the scissors gait. Individuals with spastic hemiparesis may also experience hemiparetic tremors, in which uncontrollable shaking affects the limbs on one side of the body. If these tremors are severe, they can seriously impair movement.
Athetoid Cerebral Palsy or dyskinetic cerebral palsy. This form of cerebral palsy is characterized by uncontrolled, slow, writhing movements. These abnormal movements usually affect the hands, feet, arms, or legs and, in some cases, the muscles of the face and tongue, causing grimacing or drooling. The movements often increase during periods of emotional stress and disappear during sleep. Patients may also have problems coordinating the muscle movements needed for speech, a condition known as dysarthria. Athetoid cerebral palsy affects about 10 to 20 percent of patients.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy. This rare form affects the sense of balance and depth perception. Affected persons often have poor coordination; walk unsteadily with a wide-based gait, placing their feet unusually far apart; and experience difficulty when attempting quick or precise movements, such as writing or buttoning a shirt. They may also have intention tremor. In this form of tremor, beginning a voluntary movement, such as reaching for a book, causes a trembling that affects the body part being used and that worsens as the individual gets nearer to the desired object. The ataxic form affects an estimated 5 to 10 percent of cerebral palsy patients.
Mixed form of Cerebral Palsy. It is common for patients to have symptoms of more than one of the previous three forms. The most common mixed form includes spasticity and athetoid movements but other combinations are also possible.
CEREBRAL PALSY LAWSUIT EVALUATION - TALK TO A LAWYER
 If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and you believe that your child’s cerebral palsy may have been caused by a medical mistake, then call us for a Free & Confidential Consultation. Talk to a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer at 1-800-883-9858 or click here for a Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit Evaluation Form
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FREE CASE EVALUATION
If your baby has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and you believe that medical malpractice may have occurred by your Doctors, ObGyn, nurses, assistants and/or hospital staff, then you may have a Cerebral Palsy Legal Action for legal damages against those that may have caused or contributed to your child's condition.
If you have a question regarding any aspect of a medical malpractice / cerebral palsy lawsuit, then call and talk to a trial attorney with over 20+ years experience. Don't wait, get your questions answered today. Contact: Cerebral Palsy Attorney
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 Mr. Willis is a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1988. It cost you nothing to discuss your case or ask a question.Call now for a Free Confidential Consultation.
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COMMON QUESTIONS
Question: What are the most common causes of cerebral palsy?
Answer: During the birth, many times the child’s ability to obtain needed oxygen is a chief cause of cerebral palsy. It may result from premature separation of the placenta, too large of baby for the birth canal or pelvis, too long or too abrupt of labor, awkward and/or breech deliveries, cord entanglement, excessive Pitocin, shoulder dystocia, failure to order timely cesarean (c-section), placenta abruptus, excessive force or use of vacuum or forceps, and ruptured uterus. In additional cerebral palsy may occur when there is presence of birth asphyxia, a vaginal birth after a caesarean delivery (VBAC) with a ruptured uterus, neonatal depression, static encephalopathy, fetal bleeding, periventricular leukomalacia, fetal distress during labor, an abrupted placenta and/or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy,
Question: What are the early signs that may indicate a birth injury or birth trauma may have occurred ?
Answer: Early signs of cerebral palsy may include but limited to low apgar scores, child born with low ph or acidosis, a child born with a bluish skin tone, seizure immediately after birth, cerebral edema, difficulty breathing on its own and a child born severely bruised at birth. These signs may show evidence of a forced delivery or excessive force or trauma on the infant during birth.
Question: What are the physical signs or common symptoms that indicate that a child may have cerebral palsy ?
Answer: A child with cerebral palsy may have limbs that are hard to move or stiff, underdeveloped limbs, muscular hypertonicity, muscle weakness and a tendency to contractures. Cerebral Palsy (CP) child may also exhibit involuntary or uncontrolled movements ,weakness, incoordination, wide-based gait, imbalance and difficulty in depth perception.
CEREBRAL PALSY TOPICS
Cerebral Palsy Definition
Cerebral Palsy Home
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
Signs of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy Symptom
Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis
Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Athetoid Cerebral Palsy
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy Treatment
Cerebral Palsy Malpractice
Neonatal Depression
Birth Asphyxia
Static Encephalopathy
Developmental Delays
Low apgar scores
Cerebral Edema
Acidosis (low ph)
Cerebral Palsy Lawsuits
Life Expectancy
Cerebral Palsy Therapy
Cerebral Palsy types
OB/GYN Lawsuit
Birthing Injuries
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