Table of Contents
What is spasticity neurology?
Definition. Spasticity is a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle, which might interfere with movement, speech, or be associated with discomfort or pain. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to nerve pathways within the brain or spinal cord that control muscle movement …
What is spinal spasticity?
Overview. Spasticity is a form of muscle overactivity that occurs when communication between your brain and spinal cord is disrupted by a spinal cord injury, other injury or an illness. Spasticity has some benefits, such as increasing muscle tone.
How is spasticity diagnosed?
Testing & Diagnosis A physical examination with neurological testing will be done to test for spasticity and the severity of it. Imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide more information on the source of spasticity and the extent of the damage that has caused it.
How does a neurologist test for spasticity?
Testing & Diagnosis Imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide more information on the source of spasticity and the extent of the damage that has caused it.
Does spasticity ever go away after spinal cord injury?
What happens to spasticity over time? In general, spasticity appears to become less bothersome over time. Possibly this happens because people learn to avoid things that trigger spasticity. Changes that naturally go on in the body as you age, such as a slowing down of nerve conduction, may also decrease spasticity.
Can spinal stenosis cause spasticity?
Cervical stenosis may cause pain as well as tingling or numbness that radiates from the neck, down the shoulders and into the arms and hands. Pressure on the spinal cord, as it runs through the cervical spine, can cause weakness and spasticity in the arms and legs, called cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
Who can diagnose spasticity?
The involvement of a multidisciplinary healthcare team may be required in the diagnostic process of spasticity. This may include a physical therapist, physician, neurologist, rehabilitation physician, orthopedic surgeon and an occupational therapist.
Is spasticity curable?
If you think you might have spasticity, talk to your healthcare provider or your physical therapist so that you can get the right treatment to relieve your symptoms of spasticity. Usually, medical treatment or exercise therapy for spasticity is not a complete cure, so ongoing therapy may be necessary.
What is spasticity?
Spasticity is a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle, which might interfere with movement, speech, or be associated with discomfort or pain. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to nerve pathways within the brain or spinal cord that control muscle movement.
What causes spasticity in cerebral palsy (CP)?
Congenital conditions or other factors affecting a particular area of the brain, spinal cord or nerves can affect the flow of signals to and from the muscles. Spasticity in people with CP results from damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle tone and movement. Arm and leg muscles may be affected.
What happens if spasticity is not treated?
Without therapy, spasticity can result in pain, permanent joint deformity, urinary tract infection, chronic constipation and pressure sores. Treatment goals include relaxing the muscles as much as possible, relieving pain and stiffness, encouraging optimal long muscle growth in children and improving your child’s ambulation and independence.
What is spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS)?
People with MS can experience spasticity of the leg and hip muscles, resulting in flexor spasticity (legs and hips locked in a bent position) or extensor spasticity, where stiff muscles hold the legs straight and occasionally crossed at the ankles.