Spastic diplegia is a form of cerebral palsy where both the arms and legs have abnormal stiffness. The legs are often more affected than the upper extremities. Spastic means stiff or contracted. The word Diplegia breaks down into "di," meaning two, and "plegia," the Latin word for weakness. Therefore, spastic diplegia means stiff or contracted muscles affecting two extremities causing weakness. Spastic Diplegia is sometimes also called paraplegia. There are other forms of Spastic Diplegia besides cerebral palsy. Some forms of spastic diplegia are hereditary.

Symptoms
Diplegia, like other forms of CP, is hard to detect early on. Warning sings may include stiff lower extremities or floppiness of the limbs that turn stiff later. There are no tests or scans that can detect CP, and it has to be diagnosed based on motor movement. Before the age of 1, if your child appears to have leg problems or tightness, gentle stretching and exercise is healthy, though never too much to discomfort the child. Your infant may also benefit from an infant stimulation program. Between ages one to three, diplegia is usually noticed and can be diagnosed because the child is not walking. If by age 2/12 your child is not pulling to a stand, he may have severe involvement and a standing program should be initiated. Standing programs are only recommended for children with severe involvement.

Causes
Spastic diplegia results from brain damage at birth that prevents proper development of the pyramidal tract, meaning that certain nerve receptors in the spine are unable to properly absorb the gamma amino butyric acid which would otherwise properly regulate tone in the affected areas. Many diplegic children were born prematurely and have had respiratory problems.

Treatment
Physical therapy is the standard treatment is used for all CP patients; pt was the first form of therapy developed for CP. Physical therapy prevents spastic muscles from becoming contracted (unable to move) and it strengthens muscles which would otherwise become weak from disuse. There are several different methods of physical therapy used for spastic diplegia. Other treatments for spastic diplegia and other forms of CP range from medicines to reduce muscle tension to orthopedic surgery to correct CP induced deformities. Braces and other orthopedic supports are helpful for some patients. Today, some spastic diplegia patients are finding relief (not a cure) from alternative therapies such as massage, yoga and chiropractic adjustments. Massage therapists believe that gentle massage helps spastic diplegia patients relax and sleep better.