Back to Top Monoplegia and triplegia are exceedingly rare, and are mentioned here only in passing, so that a complete picture of the affliction can be presented. In persons with spastic diplegia affecting the legs, the limbs often turn in and cross at the knees. This causes a characteristic walking rhythm known as scissors gait, in which the legs move awkwardly and stiffly, nearly touching at the knees. Some cases affect the muscles of the face and tongue, causing grimacing or drooling. The condition can affect the muscles which control speech, a condition known as dysarthria.
Emotional stress can worsen the movements, which usually vanish during sleep.
It affects the patient's balance and depth perception. Persons with ataxic CP have poor coordination. They walk unsteadily, usually placing their feet far apart. Many have trouble with quick or precise movements, like writing or buttoning a shirt. Some also have intention tremor, in which a voluntary movement, like reaching for an object, sets off a trembling in the limb which grows in intensity as the person nears the target object.