How Do You Identify Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia?
Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is otherwise known as familial spastic paralysis. This refers to a group of disorders that are genetic in nature and exhibit the same primary characteristics of spasticity (stiffness) and weakness of the lower extremities (including the hip abductor muscles). The onset of this disease occurs gradually, and becomes increasingly worse over time, especially without the aid of proper treatment. Existence of symptoms vary in every individual, even for those who are in the same family. And its symptoms may occur at any age from infancy to late adulthood. Most of the patients suffer the onset of their symptoms during the second to the fourth decades of life. There are two classifications of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP): the uncomplicated or pure type and the complicated or complex type. In the uncomplicated type, the impairment is usually limited in the lower body. The complicated type exhibits the symptoms of the uncomplicated type along with other
