Welcome to the FSP Page!Familial Spastic Paraparesis
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Hereditary spastic paraplegia is an inherited spinal cord disorder characterized by gradual development of muscle weakness, spasms, and stiffness of the legs. Symptoms may be first noticed in early childhood, or at any age though adulthood. Initial symptoms may include difficulty with balance, weakness and stiffness in the legs, muscle spasms, and dragging the toes when walking. In some forms of the disorder, bladder symptoms may appear, or the weakness and stiffness may spread to other parts of the body.
The terms "Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia" (HSP) and "Familial Spastic Paraparesis" (FSP) are the commonly used names in the United States for this disorder. For those in Europe, "Strumpell-Lorrain" is probably more common. These terms all refer to the same set of disorders. Other names associated with this disease are Strümpell-Lorrain familial spasmodic paraplegia, Strümpell's familial paraplegia, spasmodic infantile paraplegia, spastic congenital paraplegia, spastic spinal familial paralysis, hereditary spastic paraparesis, and familial spastic paraplegia.