Physiological type

Description

Spasticity

Velocity dependent resistance to stretch, clasp knife response, increased deep tendon reflexes, clonuses.

Athetosis

Involuntary writhing movements, often with chorea (i.e. involuntary jerky movements.)

Rigidity

Lead pipe, hypertonic, fluctuating tone, and prominent primitive reflexes.

Ataxia

Problems with balance and controlling position of body in space.

Hypotonia

Low muscle tone, normal or increased deep tendon reflexes.

Mixed

Evidence of two or more physiological type

Hemiplegia

Arm and leg on same side involved, arm usually more than leg.

Monoplegia

One limb, usually arm, affected (a variant of hemiplegia)

Diplegia

Both sides of body involved, legs more than arms

Quadriplegia

Both sides of body involved, both legs and arms significantly affected.

Triplegia

Both sides of body involved, but one limb (usually arm) relatively spared.

Double Hemiplegia

Both sides of body involved, but one side more than other, arms usually more affected.