Spastic Diplegia vs. Other Types of CP
“Cerebral palsy” is an umbrella term, and spastic diplegia is just one branch under it. If you’re trying to understand where your child’s diagnosis fits, or you found this site while searching more broadly for “cerebral palsy,” this page is meant to sort that out.
By area of the body affected (topography)
- Spastic diplegia — spasticity mainly in both legs, arms typically unaffected or only mildly affected
- Spastic hemiplegia — spasticity on one side of the body (one arm and one leg)
- Spastic quadriplegia — spasticity affecting all four limbs, often the trunk as well, generally associated with more significant overall impact
By movement type
- Spastic CP (the most common category, including diplegia, hemiplegia, and quadriplegia) — muscle stiffness/tightness
- Dyskinetic CP — involuntary, uncontrolled movements; muscle tone can fluctuate between tight and loose
- Ataxic CP — affects balance and coordination, often with shakier, less precise movements
- Mixed CP — a combination of the above patterns
Quick comparison
| Type | Main pattern | Typical presentation |
|---|---|---|
| Spastic diplegia | Legs mainly | Tight leg muscles, scissoring gait, arms largely typical |
| Spastic hemiplegia | One side of the body | One-sided weakness/tightness |
| Spastic quadriplegia | All four limbs | More significant motor impact, often trunk involvement |
| Dyskinetic | Whole body, fluctuating tone | Involuntary movements |
| Ataxic | Balance/coordination | Unsteady, imprecise movement |
Where to go from here