Etymed
diplegia
Definition
A form of paralysis that affects the same muscle groups on both sides of the body, such as both arms or both legs
Clinical context
A 3-year-old child presents with difficulty walking and abnormal gait. Physical examination reveals that both legs are equally affected with decreased muscle tone and reflexes. The child's mother reports that the symptoms developed gradually over several weeks. MRI of the brain shows bilateral periventricular white matter lesions.
Mnemonic
DIPLEGIA = DIPs on both sides (both legs or both arms affected equally)