Hemiplegia is a condition where a vertical half of a patient's body is paralyzed, i.e. one arm and its corresponding leg do not function. It is usually the result of a stroke, although disease processes affecting the spinal cord and other diseases affecting the hemispheres are equally capable of producing this picture.
Cerebral palsy can also affect one hemisphere, resulting in limited function. This does not cause paralysis but instead causes spasms. Cerebral palsy where this is the only symptom is often refered just as hemiplegia
Reference
- Patten C, Lexell J, Brown HE. Weakness and strength training in persons with poststroke hemiplegia: Rationale, method, and efficacy. J Rehab Res Dev 2004;41:293-312. Fulltext. PMID 15543447.
External Links
UK based hemiplegia (cerebral palsy) charity