Tom Sawicki, age 17, of Brownsville, Texas, for his question:

WHAT CAUSES SPASTIC PARALYSIS?

Spastic paralysis is a form of cerebral palsy, a condition in which damage to the brain has resulted in poor control over the muscle. The brain damage usually occurs at birth, although it can happen before birth.

Spastic paralysis can also develop after birth if an infection such as meningitis damages the brain, or if damage results from strokes,  skull fractures or other injuries.

The part of the brain that is damaged and the amount of damage done determine which muscles are affected and how severely. Sometimes the damage is so slight that the individual may have only a little clumsiness, a slight loss of balance or perhaps a slight speech problem.

In severe cases, the individual cannot walk. Or he may walk on his toes with his feet turned inward, his knees together and with one leg crossing over in front of the other.

Spastic paralysis can affect all the muscles. The face, the tongue and even the muscles that control breathing may be affected. This may result in uncontrollable grimacing, drooling and great difficulty in speaking.

Many persons suffering from spastic paralysis are completely normal, except for their difficulties in controlling the affected muscles.

The brain damage cannot be cured but the use of the muscles can be improved through surgery, training and the use of crutches and braces.