PainCare - the leading Pain Management specialists in NH

What is spasticity?

Spasticity is a condition in which muscles involuntarily remain in a continuous state of contraction for long periods.  As muscles contract they becomes rigid and tight, resistant to the normal stretching that occurs during use.  The degree of spasticity can vary from mild muscle stiffness to severe, uncontrollable spasms that permanently shorten muscles. Spasticity may be very painful, particularly if it causes the joints to pull into abnormal positions and/or normal movement of the joints is prevented. Interference of normal movement can cause significant disability in a patient, hindering simple daily activities or even speech. Spasticity may not be present at all times and may be triggered or aggravated by stimulus such as pain, temperature, humidity, or certain disease processes. Although it most commonly affects the legs and arms, spasticity can affect any part of the body including the trunk, neck, eyelids, face, or vocal cords.

What are the causes?

Spasticity occurs as a result of damage to nerve cells in the portion of the spinal cord or brain that controls voluntary movement. The damage causes an imbalance in nerve signals that leads to increased activity or excitability of the muscles.  Spasticity can occur as part of the disease process such as in multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease); or it may be associated with spinal cord injury, severe head injury or damage due to lack of oxygen to the brain.

Is spasticity preventable?

In most cases, depending on the disease or injury, this condition is not preventable.
What are my treatment options?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for spasticity.  It can, however, be managed with appropriate treatment. Treatment options may include:

The goal of treatment is to ease discomfort, decrease pain, facilitate mobility and/or rehabilitation, and to prevent or decrease the risk of further joint contracture. The treatment of choice will be dependent upon the severity of spasticity and the patient's overall health.

In some cases, no treatment is recommended if the spasticity is actually helping the patient's current mobility. For instance, if a patient with multiple sclerosis experiences significant weakness in their legs, they may find that spasticity makes their legs more rigid, helping them to stand, walk, or more easily transfer to a chair or bed.

When should I seek help from PainCare?

Spasticity should be treated if it interferes with function, causes discomfort, or could potentially lead to permanent deformity requiring later treatment. Call PainCare to set up an appointment to be seen by one of our specialists.