Spasticity
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About Spasticity
General Information
- Spasticity is characterized by increased resistance to passive movement, overactive reflexes and simultaneous activation of opposing muscle groups.
- Spasticity is caused by lesions in part of the brain involved in motor functions. The lesions impair brain cells that inhibit abnormal muscle contractions. The lesions are caused by a variety of injuries and disease to the brain and spinal cord, including stroke, , hemorrhage, trauma, infection and multiple sclerosis. The lesions also are found in congenital illness such as cerebral palsy and myelomeningocele.
Symptoms
- Characteristic postures include scissoring of legs or flexing of the thighs beyond their normal range of motion. These postures may be painful and make it difficult to sit in a wheelchair, lay in bed, drive modified vehicles or sleep.
Treatment
- Medication
- Diazepam: Side effects are sedation, weakness, decreased stamina
- Baclofen: Side effects are lower seizure threshold.
- Dantrolene: Side effects are muscle weakness, sedation, hepatitis, anorexia, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
- Surgery
- Surgery is an option for when spasticity fails to respond to medical treatment or when side effects of medications are intolerable.
- A number of surgical procedures are used to address spasticity, including implantation of pumps to administer medications and electrophysiological stimulation during surgery to eliminate sensory rootlets involved in spasticity.