Spasticity

Diagnosis begins with evaluating arm and leg movements, muscular activity and your passive and active range of motion. Your doctor will talk with you about your medication history and any other neurological problems in your family, and may recommend an evaluation by a physical therapist to determine which muscles are involved. 

Symptoms of spasticity can range from mild muscle stiffness to severe, uncontrollable spasms that may be painful. Symptoms include: 

• Increased muscle tone (hypertonicity) 
• Rapid muscle contractions (clonus) 
• Exaggerated deep tendon reflexes or knee jerk 
• Muscle spasms 
• Involuntary crossing of the legs 
• Fixed or locked joints due to shortened muscles

Treatment for spasticity may include medications and injections of botulinum toxin (Botox®) into spastic muscles to weaken them and improve the range of motion. Physical therapy and exercise are also important to manage spasticity — regular stretching and range-of-motion exercises help prevent further muscle shortening and shrinking.  

Depending on the severity of symptoms, surgery may be appropriate. Procedures may include: 

• Intrathecal baclofen therapy (IBT) in which a programmable pump and catheter directs the medications directly to the site of action within the spinal cord, which reduces the amount of medication that’s needed.  
• Surgery for tendon release or to cut the nerve-muscle pathway.