What is spastic cerebral palsy?

• A. Hypertonia affecting flexor muscles of the upper limbs and extensor muscles of the lower limbs, with weak antagonistic muscles.
• B. Hypotonia with flaccid limbs
• C. Hypertonia of lower limbs only
• D. Normal muscle tone

Answer: (A)

Spastic cerebral palsy is a form of cerebral palsy characterized by increased muscle tone due to upper motor neuron injury. This leads to spasticity, a velocity-dependent resistance to movement, and often brisk reflexes with features like clonus. The most typical pattern is hypertonia in the flexor muscles of the arms and in the extensor muscles of the legs, causing the arms to stay flexed and the legs to extend, with weak antagonistic muscles because reciprocal inhibition is impaired. This description captures the classic presentation of spastic CP. Hypotonia, involvement limited only to the lower limbs, or a normal tone do not fit this condition.