In simple words: Spastic diplegic cerebral palsy mainly affects the legs, making them stiff and causing a "scissor walk." This happens because of brain damage that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. While there's no cure, treatments like therapy, medicine, and sometimes surgery, can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) is a form of CP that primarily affects the lower extremities, especially the legs, hips, and pelvis. It is characterized by hypertonia and spasticity, leading to muscle stiffness and tightness. Individuals with spastic diplegia often exhibit a "scissor gait" due to the tightness in their hip and leg muscles. While the legs are primarily affected, there can be some asymmetry between the two sides, and in some cases, the arms may also be mildly affected.Associated symptoms can include impaired cognitive development, impaired vision, seizures, constipation, and urinary incontinence. The condition is caused by brain damage occurring before, during, or shortly after birth.Diagnosis involves medical history, physical and neurological examination, and imaging studies like MRI and EEG. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms through physical, occupational, and speech therapies, medications (muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, anticonvulsants), botulinum toxin injections, orthotics, and surgery for severe contractures.

Example 1: A premature infant exhibits stiffness in the legs and a scissoring gait. After neurological examination and imaging studies, a diagnosis of spastic diplegic CP is made., A toddler is delayed in reaching motor milestones, particularly walking. Upon examination, increased muscle tone and spasticity in the legs are observed, leading to a diagnosis of spastic diplegic CP. , A child born with neonatal asphyxia later develops difficulties with walking, demonstrating a scissor gait and stiffness in the legs. This leads to a diagnosis of spastic diplegic CP.

Documentation should include details of medical history, including birth history (prematurity, birth complications), physical and neurological examination findings (muscle tone, reflexes, gait), results of imaging studies (MRI, cranial ultrasound), and any associated symptoms (cognitive impairment, seizures, vision problems).