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Cerebral palsy can be classified and named by the limbs involved or the type of movement disorder. Often, the two are used together, e.g. "spastic quadriplegia".
Classification by limb involvement:
Quadriplegia - all four limbs are affected, from quad meaning four and plegia meaning paralysis, or impaired ability to move.
Diplegia - two limbs are affected, from di meaning two. Although diplegia typically refers to someone whose legs are most involved, the arms may also be affected, but to a lesser degree.
Hemiplegia - one side is affected, from hemi meaning half. Often, the arm is more affected than the leg.
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Triplegia - three limbs are affected, from tri meaning three. Usually both legs and one arm are affected. Some clinicians will refer to this type of clinical picture as diplegia with a hemiplegic overlay.
Monoplegia - one limb is affected, from mono meaning one.
Total body involvement
this term is used to describe a person who, in addition to the involvement of four limbs, has impairments in speech, vision or cognitive function.
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