UR Medicine / Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation / Spasticity

Spasticity

What is spasticity?

spasticity photo

Spasticity is a condition in which you experience an abnormal increase in muscle tone due to a central nervous system disease. If you have been diagnosed with spasticity, you may experience muscle stiffness, pain, spasms, weakness, contracture, sleeplessness and fatigue. Spasticity can also impact your mobility and activities of daily living.

Spasticity can be seen in conditions like:

Spinal Cord Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Stroke
Multiple Sclerosis
Cerebral Palsy

Symptoms of spasticity include:

Abnormal increase in muscle tone that may be described as stiff, tight or painful
Difficulty moving joints or relaxing your muscles
Overactive reflexes
Muscle spasms or abnormal movements
Limited or loss of range of motion

Treatment for spasticity

UR Medicine Adult & Pediatric Spasticity Program

UR Medicine offers an Adult & Pediatric Spasticity Program to help patients who have been diagnosed with spasticity. Through this program, you can reduce the effects of spasticity and improve your quality of life.

Physicians in our clinic will provide you with a customized treatment plan, which may include:

Physical or occupational therapy. Our therapists specialize in neuromuscular rehabilitation, and may include splinting or casting as part of their treatment. They also provide education and exercises to help your condition. Often feedback is provided to your doctor to help guide treatment.
Bracing/orthotics improve range of motion and function.
Oral medication. Your spasticity specialist may prescribe one or more medications to alleviate your symptoms, depending on their severity.
Botulinum Toxin Injections. Botulinum Toxin is injected directly into the affected muscles, providing about three to four months of relief of muscle tightness. Music therapy is available at time of pediatric patient visit to assist with patient comfort.
Adult Intrathecal Baclofen pump. Evaluation, recommendation and management of implantable pump for chronic spasticity (administered at Strong Memorial Hospital).
Referrals for surgical intervention, such as tendon lengthening.