Hemiplegia
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Hemiplegia
Overview
Hemiplegia is a condition caused by brain damage or spinal cord injury that leads to paralysis on one side of the body. It causes weakness, problems with muscle control, and muscle stiffness. The degree of hemiplegia symptoms vary depending on the location and extent of the injury.
If hemiplegia onsets before birth, during birth, or within the first 2 years of life, it’s known as congenital hemiplegia. If hemiplegia develops later in life, it’s known as acquired hemiplegia. Hemiplegia is non-progressive. Once the disorder begins, symptoms don’t get worse.
Keep reading to learn about why hemiplegia occurs and the common treatment options available.
Symptoms
Hemiplegia can affect either the left or right side of your body. Whichever side of your brain is affected causes symptoms on the opposite side of your body.
People can have different symptoms from hemiplegia depending on its severity. Symptoms can include:
- muscle weakness or stiffness on one side
- muscle spasticity or permanently contracted muscle
- poor fine motor skills
- trouble walking
- poor balance
- trouble grabbing objects
Children with hemiplegia may also take longer to reach developmental milestones than their peers. They may also use only one hand when playing or keep one hand in a fist.
If hemiplegia is caused by a brain injury, the brain damage can cause symptoms that aren’t specific to hemiplegia, such as:
- memory problems
- trouble concentrating
- speech issues
- behavior changes
- seizures
Causes
- Stroke : Strokes are one of the most common causes of hemiparesis. The severity of muscle weakness that you experience can depend on the size and location of a stroke. Strokes in the womb are the most common cause of hemiplegia in children..
- Brain infections : A brain infection can cause permanent damage to the cortex of the brain. Most infections are caused by bacteria, but some infections may also be viral or fungal.
- Brain trauma : A sudden impact to your head can cause permanent brain damage. If the trauma only affects one side of your brain, hemiplegia can develop. Common causes of trauma include car collisions, sports injury, and assaults.
- Genetics : An extremely rare mutation of the ATP1A3 gene can cause a condition known as alternating hemiplegia in children. It causes temporary hemiplegia symptoms that come and go. This disorder affects about 1 in 1 million people.
- Brain tumors : Brain tumors can lead to a variety of physical problems including hemiplegia. Symptoms of hemiplegia may get worse as the tumor grows.
Treatment
Treatment options for hemiplegia depend on the cause of the hemiplegia and the severity of symptoms. People with hemiplegia often undergo multidisciplinary rehab involving physical therapists, rehabilitation therapists, and mental health professionals.