Spasticityis a chronic neurological disorder characterized by muscle stiffness. Spasticity causes muscle tone to become exaggerated, which makes the normal stretching and flexing of everyday movement impossible.

Spasticity can be an extremely debilitating disorder because spastic muscles can become so tight and contracted that it becomes difficult to move them. Spasticity can interfere with walking, speaking clearly or clenching your fists.

Spasticity usually occurs when the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary movement becomes damaged. When this happens, the brain can send false signals to the muscles, which then tense up when they should relax.

Numerous disorders and injuries can bring on spasticity. These include cerebral palsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, infection, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and metabolic diseases such as phenylketonuria and adrenoleukodystrophy.

How is Spasticity Treated?

Most spasticity improves with regular stretching of the affected muscles. Range-of-motion exercises, if begun in the early stages, can prevent permanent shortening and shrinkage of the muscles.

Stretching alone doesn't work for all patients, however, and some must take muscle-relaxing medications such as baclofen, diazepam or clonazapem. In some severe cases, surgery may be necessary.


 

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