It afflicts somewhere between half and three-quarters of all patients with cerebral palsy, causing the muscles to be stiff and permanently contracted. Doctors often further subdivide spastic cerebral palsy into one of five types, describing the limbs that are affected. 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.