brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
Symptoms of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
Symptoms of hereditary spastic paraplegia may begin at any age—from age 1 to old age—depending on the form. Reflexes become exaggerated, and leg cramps, twitches, and spasms occur, making leg movements stiff and jerky (called a spastic gait) when walking. Walking gradually becomes more difficult. People may stumble or trip because they tend to walk on their tiptoes with the feet turned inward. Shoes are often worn down in the area over the big toe. Fatigue is common. In some people, muscles in the arms also become weak and stiff. Sensation and bladder and bowel function are usually not affected. Usually, symptoms continue to slowly worsen, but sometimes they level off after adolescence. Life span is not affected. Many forms of hereditary spastic paraplegia damage other parts of the body in addition to the spinal cord. These forms may cause other problems, such as eye problems, lack of muscle control, hearing loss, intellectual disability, dementia, and Overview of the Peripheral Nervous System . 