Which statement best describes movement in spastic cerebral palsy?

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Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes movement in spastic cerebral palsy?

Spastic cerebral palsy is defined by increased muscle tone due to upper motor neuron injury, which produces a velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. That means movements tend to be stiff and awkward, and when you try to move a limb quickly, the resistance can feel abrupt or jerky because the hyperactive stretch reflexes and co-contraction kick in. So describing abrupt and jerky movements arising from increased muscle tone best captures how movement is affected in spastic CP. The other descriptions reflect different movement issues seen in other CP types or in hypotonia—slow writhing is typical of dyskinetic (athetoid) CP, flaccid weakness doesn’t align with the spastic pattern, and normal movement with occasional tremor doesn’t fit the characteristic motor challenges of spastic CP.

Spastic cerebral palsy is defined by increased muscle tone due to upper motor neuron injury, which produces a velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. That means movements tend to be stiff and awkward, and when you try to move a limb quickly, the resistance can feel abrupt or jerky because the hyperactive stretch reflexes and co-contraction kick in. So describing abrupt and jerky movements arising from increased muscle tone best captures how movement is affected in spastic CP. The other descriptions reflect different movement issues seen in other CP types or in hypotonia—slow writhing is typical of dyskinetic (athetoid) CP, flaccid weakness doesn’t align with the spastic pattern, and normal movement with occasional tremor doesn’t fit the characteristic motor challenges of spastic CP.

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