Spastic paraplegia (Marie-Strumpell disease)

Spastic paraplegia (Marie-Strumpell disease) is a chronic progressing disease, the main sign of which is a bilateral damage of the spinal pyramidal tract. The disease is hereditary and inherited by both dominant and recessive ways.  It starts gradually from fatigue in the legs and their stiffness. At early stages the tendon reflexes are brisk and the muscle tonus increases so that Babinski sign develops. Usually, no complete paralysis is observed. The feet deformation and hip adduction are observed. Skin reflexes and functions of pelvic organs remain normal. Hands involve into the pathological process much later. Sometimes, the signs of the injury of Goll and Burdach tract are observed, the signs of cerebellar injury are rarer. The disease manifests at the age of 20 to 40, but deviations are possible. The prognosis is unfavorable. The therapy is symptomatic.