Types
Topographical classification
- Monoplegia: involvement of one limb
- Hemiplegia: involvement of one side of the body.
- Diplegia: involvement of both lower limbs with minimal involvement of the upper limbs.
- Paraplegia implies no upper limb involvement only lower limb involvement.
- Triplegia: involvement of one side of the body, as in hemiplegia, combined with involvement of the contralateral lower limb. The lower limb involvement is always asymmetrical.
- Quadriplegia: involvement of all four limbs and the trunk. The alternative name is ‘whole body involvement.
Classification according to movement disorders
- Spastic group: Characterised by muscles and joints that are tight and inability to stretch them. Child walks on toes or legs make scissors movements.
- Non spastic group (Dyskinetic, atheitod, chorea, ataxia, hypotonia) This is characterised by twisting, jerking, or writhing of the hands, feet, arms, or legs while awake, which gets worse during periods of stress.