What is spastic quadriplegia?
Spastic quadriplegia or spastic tetraplegia is a disorder that affects both arms, both legs and torso, causing muscle stiffness, weakness and movement problems. It is the most serious form of brain palsy. Brain palsy is the name of a number of conditions under which brain damage or abnormal brain development leads to problems with muscle movement. Spastic brain palsy is the most common form of state and the term spastic describes muscles that are unusually stiff. Children who have spastic quadriplegia can have seizures, swallowing problems and delayed mental development. It is known that certain factors increase the risk that the child is born with the condition. These include twins or triplet, being premature or having a heavy jaundice.
Mothers who smoke, drink too much drugs have a better chance of having a child with a brain palsy. Infections during pregnancy, such as rubel, can also increase the risk. Infection may also affect the child after birth and cause brain palsy, which may result in spastic quadriPlegii. Birth problems, such as lack of oxygen, were considered an important cause, but it is now assumed to be a minority of cases.
, as well as spastic quadriplegia, the most serious form of condition, spastic brain palsy can lead to spastic diplegia, which affects both legs or spastic hemiplegia in which the arm and leg on one side of the body are affected by muscle spasticity. Spastic monophlegia rarely occurs, which affects only one limb. Someone with a milder form of spastic hemiplegia may suffer only minor problems with walking and can lead an independent life, while a person with a serious spastic quadriplegia may be dependent on the wheelchair to embrace.
Treatment of spastic quadriplegia depends on the individual because the problems vary in any case. Although brain damage is not reversible, physiotherapy can help prevent the stiff muscles of the progressLy to a permanent fixed limb. Therapy can also improve the speech and skills needed for everyday activities such as eating or moving on the floor where it is possible. Drugs are sometimes used to prevent seizures and muscle relaxation, which reduces spasticity. Occasionally, surgery is performed to repair the deformity and prolong of tightened muscles if it improves the quality of life.
The view for children with spastic quadriplegia depends on the severity of the individual condition. A minority of children, less than a quarter of those with quadriplegia, can be able to walk and live an independent life. Approximately half will require some care from others and the remaining fourth deteriorations, they will not be able to walk and will be completely dependent on others.