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. It may occur in association with:
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cerebral palsy
- Stroke
- Brain or head trauma
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Hereditary spastic paraplegias
- Metabolic diseases such as adrenoleukodystrophy, phenylketonuria, and krabbe disease
Symptoms may include:
- Hypertonicity (increased muscle tone)
- Clonus (a series of rapid muscle contractions)
- Exaggerated deep tendon reflexes
- Muscle spasms
- Scissoring (involuntary crossing of the legs)
- Fixed joints (contractures)
The degree of spasticity varies from mild muscle stiffness to severe, painful, and uncontrollable muscle spasms. Spasticity can interfere with rehabilitation in people with certain disorders, and often interferes with daily activities.
Treatment may include such medications as baclofen, diazepam, tizanidine or clonazepam. Physical therapy regimens may include muscle stretching and range of motion exercises to help prevent shrinkage or shortening of muscles and to reduce the severity of symptoms. Targeted injection of botulinum toxin into muscles with the most tome can help to selectively weaken these muscles to improve range of motion and function. Surgery may be recommended for tendon release or to sever the nerve-muscle pathway.
The prognosis for those with spasticity depends on the severity of the spasticity and the associated disorder(s).
How can I or my loved one help improve care for people with spasticity?
Consider participating in a clinical trial so clinicians and scientists can learn more about spasticity and related disorders. Clinical research uses human volunteers to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat, or prevent disease.
All types of volunteers are needed—those who are healthy or may have an illness or disease—of all different ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities to ensure that study results apply to as many people as possible, and that treatments will be safe and effective for everyone who will use them.
For information about participating in clinical research visit NIH Clinical Research Trials and You. Learn about clinical trials currently looking for people with spasticity at Clinicaltrials.gov.
Where can I find more information about spasticity?
The following organizations and resources help people with spasticity and their families, friends, and caregivers:
Information about spasticity is also available: