Overview
Hemiparesis is a neurological condition characterized by weakness or partial paralysis on one side of the body. Unlike hemiplegia, which involves complete paralysis, hemiparesis causes reduced strength, impaired coordination, and functional limitations. It can affect the arm, leg, and facial muscles, significantly impacting mobility, balance, and daily activities.
This condition is most commonly associated with stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, brain tumors, or neurological disorders. Severity can range from mild weakness to severe impairment requiring intensive rehabilitation.
In South Korea, specialized neurology and rehabilitation centers provide advanced diagnosis, treatment, and multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs to help patients regain independence and improve quality of life.
Key Facts
🟢 ➤ Hemiparesis affects one side of the body, including arm, leg, and facial muscles.
🟢 ➤ Common causes include stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, brain tumors, and multiple sclerosis.
🟢 ➤ Severity can range from mild weakness to near-complete loss of function.
🟢 ➤ Early diagnosis and rehabilitation improve recovery and reduce complications.
🟢 ➤ Treatment typically involves physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medications, and assistive devices.
🟢 ➤ South Korea offers advanced neuroimaging, robotic-assisted therapy, and multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs.
What is Hemiparesis?
Hemiparesis is partial weakness on one side of the body, resulting from damage to the central nervous system, including the brain, brainstem, or spinal cord.
Key characteristics:
➤ Weakness affecting the upper limb, lower limb, and facial muscles on the same side.
➤ Can present as flaccid (loose muscles) or spastic (stiff muscles) depending on the underlying cause.
➤ Often accompanied by loss of fine motor skills, impaired balance, and coordination difficulties.
➤ Frequently results from stroke or traumatic brain injury, though congenital conditions like cerebral palsy can also cause hemiparesis.
Hemiparesis is different from hemiplegia because strength is partially retained, but daily tasks such as walking, grasping, and facial expressions may be challenging.
Symptoms Related to Hemiparesis
Symptoms vary depending on the cause, location, and severity of the neurological injury:
🟢 ➤ Weakness on one side of the body, affecting arm, leg, and face.
🟢 ➤ Impaired coordination, balance issues, and clumsiness.
🟢 ➤ Difficulty walking, standing, or maintaining posture.
🟢 ➤ Impaired hand or arm function, making fine motor tasks challenging.
🟢 ➤ Facial droop or asymmetry on the affected side.
🟢 ➤ Spasticity or stiffness in muscles.
🟢 ➤ Fatigue and reduced endurance during daily activities.
🟢 ➤ Sensory changes such as numbness, tingling, or altered sensation.
Causes / Possible Causes
Hemiparesis arises from damage to motor pathways in the brain or spinal cord, which disrupt signals to muscles:
Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)
➤ Most common cause in adults.
➤ Can be ischemic (blood clot) or hemorrhagic (bleeding).
➤ Weakness usually appears suddenly and affects one side of the body.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
➤ Damage to brain regions controlling movement may result in partial paralysis or weakness.
➤ Severity depends on extent and location of injury.
Cerebral Palsy
➤ Neurological disorder caused by brain injury during development.
➤ Often leads to congenital hemiparesis present from birth.
Brain Tumors
➤ Tumors pressing on motor regions may cause progressive weakness on one side.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
➤ Demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system, which can produce hemiparesis and other neurological deficits.
Other Causes
➤ Infections (e.g., encephalitis), vascular malformations, spinal cord injury, or neurodegenerative disorders.
When Should I See a Doctor?
Prompt medical evaluation is critical if hemiparesis appears suddenly or progressively:
🟢 ➤ Sudden weakness on one side, especially with stroke symptoms like speech difficulty or facial droop.
🟢 ➤ Progressive weakness or reduced function without known cause.
🟢 ➤ Loss of balance, coordination, or fine motor control affecting daily activities.
🟢 ➤ Spasticity, stiffness, or pain in affected limbs.
🟢 ➤ Suspected complications after head injury or neurological events.
Early intervention allows rapid diagnosis, acute treatment, and timely rehabilitation, improving long-term recovery outcomes.
Care and Treatment
Management focuses on rehabilitation, symptom relief, and functional recovery:
Physical Therapy
➤ Exercises to strengthen muscles, improve mobility, and enhance balance.
➤ Gait training to restore walking ability and prevent falls.
➤ Stretching to reduce spasticity and prevent contractures.
Occupational Therapy
➤ Improves daily living activities, hand function, and fine motor skills.
➤ Adapts home and work environments to promote independence.
Speech and Swallowing Therapy
➤ For patients with facial weakness or communication difficulties.
➤ Focuses on speech, swallowing, and oral motor control.
Medications
➤ Muscle relaxants for spasticity.
➤ Pain management as needed.
➤ Medications to treat underlying conditions such as stroke or multiple sclerosis.
Assistive Devices
➤ Canes, walkers, braces, or orthotics to support mobility and stability.
Advanced Therapies
➤ Robotic-assisted rehabilitation, electrical stimulation, and virtual reality-based therapy.
➤ Korean centers integrate technology with multidisciplinary care for optimal outcomes.
Highlights (Clean Green Arrow Version)
🟢 ➤ Weakness or partial paralysis on one side of the body.
🟢 ➤ Common causes: stroke, TBI, cerebral palsy, brain tumors, MS.
🟢 ➤ Symptoms: impaired coordination, facial droop, fatigue, spasticity.
🟢 ➤ Early diagnosis and rehabilitation improve recovery.
🟢 ➤ Treatment: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medications, assistive devices.
🟢 ➤ Advanced care in Korea: robotic-assisted therapy and multidisciplinary rehabilitation.
