Unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (hemiparesis) [Unilaterale spastische Zerebralparese (Hemiparese)]

Background: Approximately 33 % of spastic movement disorders are due to unilateral spastic cerebral palsy which is characterized by a one-sided motor movement disorder which has a correlative in focal contralateral brain injury. The upper extremities are more severely affected so that ambulatory movement is nearly always possible. Therapy: The development is substantially influenced by epilepsy and perception disturbances. Therefore, an interdisciplinary team is necessary for optimal therapy. In addition to physiotherapy and ergotherapy, orthopedic technicians, orthopedic and hand surgeons in particular are also required. The different classifications and therapy approaches are described Conclusion: By orthopedic and hand surgical interventions flexible and structural alterations can be improved but a normalization of arm and leg functions is not possible. The prognosis in the presence of dystonia and ataxia is particularly unfavorable. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.