Spasticity Management - Hamsa Rehab, Chennai

Muscles / Joints Spasm Management

Spasticity is the increased, involuntary, velocity-dependent muscle tone that causes resistance to movement. It is most commonly seen in spinal cord injury, trauma to the brain, or inflammatory conditions. Spasticity is characterized by hypertonicity, hyperactive stretch reflexes and clonus. It typically occurs below the level of neurological lesion among people who have upper motor neuron lesions.

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Causes

Spasticity is caused by the imbalance of signals from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to the muscles. It is caused by various internal/external stimuli, like:

Changes in Position

Cutaneous Stimulation

Tight Clothing

Bladder or Kidney stones

Urinary tract infection

Catheter blockage

Faecal impaction

Functional Communication

Pressure sores

Anal fissure

Go for physical modalities

Fracture

Burns / Infections

Emotional stress

Benefits

Spaciticy can also have considerable benefits

Maintains Muscle Bulk

Decreases Osteoporosis

Improves Venous Return.

Treatment for spasticity

Spasticity may require medical management in the form of

Tablets, injection, or direct intrathecal injection.

For spasticity in legs, intrathecal Baclofen pumps are inserted in the spinal cord

The medicines, dose and duration will be recommended by the doctor. The muscle tone will be assessed and management will be planned by medical experts.

Therapeutic Management

Anti Spasticity Positioning

Weight-bearing activities like standing which is a form of a static stretch. It can reverse early contracture and reduce stretch reflex excitability.

Biofeedback using electromyography or joint position sensors. Auditory or visual feedback also helps to reduce spasticity.

Prolonged static stretching of muscles with splints, and serial castings.

Icing helps to reduce phasic stretch, reflex activity and clonus

The early effect of skin cooling is increased hypertonus. As cooling is only transient, the benefit lasts only for a few hours. It can be used with static stretch to overcome hyperactive stretch reflexes predisposing to contractures. Painful spasms can also be controlled

Deep rhythmical massage

Active and passive movements will reduce spasticity.

Deep rhythmical massage

Vestibular stimulation within a rocking chair or hammock is reported to be useful in relaxing hypertonic muscles.