Spasticity
A condition where certain muscles are continuously contracted. This causes stiffness or tightness of the muscles and may interfere with movement, speech and gait. Spasticity is generally caused by damage to the part of the brain or spinal cord that controls voluntary movement.
Many muscles in the human body work as opposing pairs, like the biceps and triceps. When one contracts the other is relaxed. The regulation of these muscles is complex and involves sending information to the muscles and receiving sensory information feedback from them.
In spasticity, this control goes wrong, and both muscles try to contract at the same time. This can lead to the affected limb locking in place with painful muscle cramps developing.
Common Causes
- adrenoleukodystrophy
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- spinal cord injury
- multiple sclerosis
- cerebral palsy
- brain trauma
- head injury
- phenylketonuria
Treatments
Medications may include:
- baclofen
- diazepam
- tizanidine
- clonazepam
- dantrolene
Physical therapy may include muscle stretching and a range of exercises to help prevent shrinkage or shortening of muscles.
References:
Multiple
Sclerosis Encyclopaedia
National
Institute of Neurologocal Disorders