Surgical Management of Spastic Diplegia in Cerebral Palsy

SPASTIC diplegia is a form of cerebral palsy characterized by spastic weakness exclusively or primarily of the lower extremities.1 , 2 This disorder of movement and posture is particularly important because it afflicts the majority of patients with cerebral palsy, and its associated motor disabilities are almost invariably permanent.2 PathogenesisSpastic diplegia is directly related to premature birth and low birth weight.3 , 4 Cerebral palsy in premature children is manifested as spastic diplegia in about 70 percent of the cases.5 At least one third and perhaps 65 percent of all patients with spastic diplegia were born prematurely.3 The remainder are born at term. . . .