Hemiplegic cerebral palsy can be caused by brain damage during the birthing process. Premature babies have a higher risk of hemiplegic cerebral palsy than children who are born on time. This condition is a motor dysfunction, which causes the muscles to spasm and shorten. Those with this condition suffer with a limited range of movement as well as joint stiffness on one side of the body only, for hemiplegic cerebral palsy only affects one side. Usually, brain damage on the left side of the brain will show up as hemiplegia on the right side of the body. Brain damage on the right side of the brain will show up as hemiplegia on the left side of the body. Children who have hemiplegic cerebral palsy and receive physical therapy often improve. Some will need to use a leg brace or splints on the affected limbs as they grow. Each child will have different abilities, and trained therapists can work with them in order to maximize these abilities.