Types of Cerebral Palsy

There are several different types of cerebral palsy. Spastic diplegia, first described by Dr. Little in the early 1860s, is just one type of cerebral palsy. It is classified into three principal categories–spastic, athetoid and ataxic, according to the type of movement disturbance. A fourth category is a combination of these conditions.

Spastic cerebral palsy affects 70 to 80% of patients, and the muscles are stiff and permanently contracted. Doctors often describe which type of spastic cerebral palsy a patient has based on which limbs are affected. In some cases, spastic cerebral palsy follows a period of poor muscle tone (hypotonia) in the young infant.

Athetoid, or dyskinetic cerebral palsy, which affects 10 to 20% of CP patients, 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.

Ataxic cerebral palsy usually occurs in less than 10% of CP patients, and affects depth perception and balance.

It is not unusual for patients to have symptoms of more than one of these three forms. The most common mixed form includes spasticity and athetoid movements, but other combinations are possible.

Cerebral palsy is a serious disorder that can affect your child’s development, ability to communicate and motor skills. At times, medical malpractice or negligence is to blame for cerebral palsy. If you suspect that a delivery mistake or negligence led to your child’s condition, contact birth injury attorney Dr. Bruce G. Fagel immediately. Dr. Fagel is one of the nation’s leading birth injury attorneys and medical malpractice attorneys who has successfully handled a large amount of cerebral palsy cases. You need his knowledge, experience and dedication in order to have the best opportunity of securing maximum compensation through a cerebral palsy lawsuit. The Law Offices of Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates offer a free consultation, and you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. We are here to help you get the emotional and monetary support that you and your child deserve. Call (800) 541-9376 today.