Spasticity
Spasticity is a condition in which muscles are tight or stiff. At times the muscles may jerk or spasm uncontrollably. It can interfere with your ability to move, speak, or walk. Spasticity usually occurs because of damage to the part of the brain or spinal cord that controls voluntary movement. It is often the result of a spinal cord injury, a stroke, or a disease such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease).
The main treatments are physical therapy and medicines that reduce muscle spasms. If spasticity isn't treated, the muscles may freeze in an abnormal position.
What are the symptoms of spasticity?
Spasticity has many common symptoms. They include increased muscle tone (which makes the muscles stiff or tight), overactive reflexes, muscle spasms, stiff joints, and a series of repeated quick muscle contractions (clonus). If spasticity isn't treated, the muscles may freeze in an abnormal position. This can be very painful.
How is spasticity treated?
The main treatments for spasticity are physical therapy and medicines that help reduce muscle spasms. If you have physical therapy, therapists will work with you to increase your range of motion and keep your muscles from getting stiff. Muscle relaxants relax tight muscles and stop spasms. Surgery may be an option in severe cases.
What causes spasticity?
Spasticity usually occurs because of damage to the part of the brain or spinal cord that controls voluntary movement. It's often the result of a spinal cord injury, a stroke, or a disease such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease).
What is spasticity?
Spasticity is a condition in which muscles are tight or stiff. For example, your hand may stay clenched in a fist or your knee may be hard to bend. At times the muscles may jerk or spasm uncontrollably. It can interfere with your ability to move, speak, or walk.
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