Definition

1. Noun:
   • A chronic neurological disorder: "spastic paralysis" is a condition characterized by a loss or deficiency of motor control, accompanied by involuntary muscle spasms and stiffness.
   • A form of cerebral palsy: It is specifically caused by permanent damage to the brain, typically occurring at or before birth, which affects muscle coordination and movement.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The child was diagnosed with spastic paralysis, affecting his ability to walk smoothly.
  • Spastic paralysis results from damage to the motor control centers of the developing brain.

Advanced Usage

• Medical context: The term is used clinically to describe the hypertonic (increased muscle tone) and spastic form of cerebral palsy.
  • The patient's spastic paralysis is managed with a combination of physical therapy and medication.

Variants and Related Words

• Spasticity (n): The state of having increased muscle tone leading to stiffness and spasms, which is a primary symptom of spastic paralysis.
  • The treatment aims to reduce spasticity in the limbs.
• Cerebral Palsy (n): A broader group of disorders affecting movement and posture, of which spastic paralysis is a common type.
  • Spastic cerebral palsy is the most prevalent form of cerebral palsy.

Synonyms

• Spastic cerebral palsy: The more precise clinical term for this condition.
• Pyramidal cerebral palsy: An older term sometimes used, referring to the involvement of the pyramidal tracts in the brain.

Related Phrases

• Spastic diplegia: A form of spastic paralysis where the leg muscles are primarily affected.
  • Spastic diplegia often presents with a characteristic "scissor gait".
• Spastic hemiplegia: A form where one side of the body is affected.
  • The stroke resulted in spastic hemiplegia on his left side.

Noun

1. a loss or deficiency of motor control with involuntary spasms caused by permanent brain damage present at birth