Hemiplegia Stroke and Hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy

In children hemiplegia cerebral palsy occurs in roughly one in every thousand births. When one side of the body is paralyzed it is known as hemiplegia. Hemiplegia is a much more severe medical disorder than hemiparesis. Hemiparesis is simply a weakness on on one side of the body. Hemiplegia may be congenital or may be acquired after an infection, stroke or trauma to the brain. In the elderly population, the most common cause of hemiplegia is a stroke or sometimes known as a cerebrovascular accident. After stroke, the next most common cause of hemiplegia in adults is trauma. In children hemiplegia is usually congenital- meaning that it is acquired at birth from an unknown cause. The most common cause of hemiplegia in childhood is cerebral palsy. No one really know why cerebral palsy occurs in infants. However, there is a belief that perhaps some type of anoxic injury results during childbirth which causes a lack of oxygen to the brain.

In most cases of hemiplegia stroke, when the injury is to the right side of the brain, the injury will appear on left side of the body and vice versa. The symptoms of hemiplegia stroke or cerebral palsy do vary from child to child and even over time. The typical symptoms include

- Difficulty with walking
- Difficulty with balance while standing
- Difficulty with fine hand activity like holding, writing, using a spoon
- Continued stiffness and spasms in the muscles
- Weakness on affected side
- Seizures
- Bowel or bladder incontinence
- Delay in developmental growth like crawling, standing, smiling or jumping
- In many children who have cerebral palsy, the mental development is not normal and the IQ is usually below 70
- In adults who suffer from hemiplegia the mental effects depend on severity of the injury.

Once hemiplegia stroke has developed in children, it does not progress but there may be problems associated with muscle spasticity, joint contractures and formation of pressure sores. Spontaneous recovery from cerebral palsy is rare. Mild cases of the disorder may improve and these children may be able to use a wheel chair or an ambulatory like a walking aid. Severe cases are either bed ridden or confined to a wheel chair.

There is no cure for hemiplegia cerebral palsy. However, there are treatments to prevent complications. Drugs are only used to reduce muscle spasms and seizures. Sometimes the surgeon may have to perform surgery to reduce joint contractures and increase mobility in the joints. Other individuals may benefit from use of orthotic devices, braces and splints. These devices may help the individual become more independent and be able to walk. Those individuals who are not able to eat may need placement of a feeding tube in the stomach.
The mainstay of treatment for hemiplegia cerebral palsy is physical and occupational therapy. Physical therapy when done on a regular basis can increase range of motion in the joint, prevent contractures and may help individuals become mobile. Hemiplegia cerebral palsy is a permanent disorder but with early treatment one can significantly improve the quality of life.