What are the Different Types of Cerebral Palsy? 1

Spasticity is defined as a velocity-dependent increased muscle tone, determined by passively flexing and
extending muscle groups across a joint. A satisfactory, reproducible system of grading muscle tone has
never been developed, although the Ashworth and Tardieu scales are commonly used in research. Most
physicians describe the tone as being normal, increased or decreased. Associated with spasticity are
enhanced deep tendon reflexes, usually associated with clonus and extensor plantar responses. However,
the latter are sometimes difficult to elicit in the infant and even in the older child with spastic CP.
Dyskinesia
· Dyskinesia is defined as abnormal motor movements that become obvious when the patient initiates a
movement. When the patient is totally relaxed, usually in the supine position, a full range of motion and
decreased muscle tone may be found. Dyskinetic patients are subdivided into two subgroups.
• The hyperkinetic or choreo-athetoid children show purposeless, often massive involuntary
movements with motor overflow, that is, the initiation of a movement of one extremity leads to
movement of other muscle groups.
• The dystonic group manifest abnormal shifts of general muscle tone induced by movement.
Typically, these children assume and retain abnormal and distorted postures in a stereotyped
pattern. Both types of dyskinesia may occur in the same patient. Simply stated, spasticity you feel;
dystonia you see.