Monoplegia

This is weakness of one limb when compared to the other.

Always check the normal limb and then immediately check corresponding other limb

Upper limb monoplegia

• Multiple sclerosis
• Encephalitis
• Poliomyelitis
• Mononeuropathy
• Brachial plexus lesion

Lower limb monoplegia

• Multiple sclerosis
• Cauda equina syndrome
• Sciatic nerve palsy
• Prolapsed vertebral disc

Hemiplegia

This is the weakness of one half of the body

Causes of hemiplegia

• Strokes
• Intracranial haemorrhage
• Meningitis/ meningo-encephalitis
• Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
• Hemiplegic migraine
• Metabolic causes

Quadriplegia

Weakness of all limbs

Causes

• Cerebral palsy
• Cervical cord compression
• Multiple sclerosis
• G B Syndrome
• Myasthenia gravis