spasticity (stiffness of muscles): What's it, causes, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Spasticity; Muscle stiffness; Hypertension

What is spasticity

Spasticity is a disorder, which affects muscle control, causing rigidity, spasms and involuntary movements. It is usually associated with neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury. The condition is caused by an abnormal increase in muscle tone, which is often the result of damage to the brain or spinal cord.

The condition may interfere with walking, movement, speech and many other daily activities.

Causes of spasticity

Spasticity is usually caused by damage to parts of the brain or spinal cord, that control muscle movement. These lesions can be the result of a wide range of diseases., including:

• Adrenoleukodystrophy (disease, in which the breakdown of certain fats is disrupted)
• Brain damage, caused by lack of oxygen, which can occur with drowning or suffocation
• Cerebral paralysis (group of disorders, which can affect the functions of the brain and nervous system)
• Head injury
• Multiple sclerosis
• neurodegenerative disease (disease, that damage the brain and nervous system over time)
• Phenylketonuria (disorder, in which the body cannot break down the amino acid phenylalanine)
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke

This list does not include all diseases., that can cause spasticity.

Symptoms of spasticity

The symptoms of spasticity can vary depending on the severity of the condition.. Common symptoms include:

• Muscle stiffness
• Involuntary muscle contractions
• Difficulties with movement
• Pain and discomfort
• Loss of range of motion
• Speech disorder
• Difficulty swallowing

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your doctor or healthcare professional immediately.

When to contact a healthcare professional

If you or your loved one is experiencing any of the symptoms, associated with spasticity, it is important to see a doctor immediately. Spasticity may be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition, requiring emergency medical attention.

Questions, that your doctor may ask

When you see a doctor about your symptoms, he may ask you a series of questions, to determine the cause of spasticity. These questions may include:

• When did you first notice the symptoms?
• Have you had a history of neurological or other diseases?
• Have you had any recent injury or injury?
• Have you been under a lot of stress lately or have you had changes in your mental health?
• Have you noticed any triggers for your symptoms?

Diagnosis of spasticity

To diagnose spasticity, the doctor will conduct a physical examination and may order such tests, like an MRI, computed tomography or nerve conduction study. These tests can help identify any underlying medical conditions., which may be causing your symptoms.

Treatment of spasticity

Treatment for spasticity depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition.. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to relieve symptoms., such as muscle relaxants or antispasmodics. In other cases, physical therapy or occupational therapy may be recommended to improve muscle strength and flexibility..

If these treatments fail, more sophisticated treatments may be considered, such as intrathecal baclofen therapy, nerve blocks or surgical procedures.

Other treatments may include:

• Medications to treat spasticity. They must be taken as directed.
• Botulinicheskiй toxin, which can be injected into spastic muscles
• In rare cases, a pump is used to deliver drugs directly to the cerebrospinal fluid and nervous system
• Sometimes surgery is done to release the tendon or cut the neuromuscular tract.

Your doctor will work with you, to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs.

home treatment for spasticity

There are also a number of home treatments, that can help manage the symptoms of spasticity.

These include:

• Stretching exercises. Light stretching exercises help improve muscle flexibility and reduce spasticity.
• Heat therapy. Applying heat to affected muscles helps to relax them and reduce spasms..
• Cold treatment. Applying ice to affected muscles can help reduce inflammation and pain..
• Massage. Massage helps improve blood flow and relieve muscle tension.
• Avoid Triggers. Identify and avoid any triggers, which can exacerbate spasticity, such as stress, fatigue or certain foods.

It is important to discuss any home treatments with your doctor., before trying to use them, To make sure, that they are safe and effective for your individual needs.

Prevention of spasticity

Although it is not always possible to prevent spasticity, there are certain steps, you can take, to reduce the risk of developing this condition. These include:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Healthy eating, regular exercise and stress management can help reduce the risk of developing spasticity.
• Seek immediate medical attention. Timely treatment of the underlying disease can help prevent the development of spasticity..
• Adherence to prescribed treatment plan. Adherence to the prescribed treatment for the underlying disease may help prevent spasticity from getting worse..

Conclusion

Spasticity is a common condition, which can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. If you or a loved one is experiencing any symptoms of spasticity, it is important to see a doctor immediately. With timely medical attention and appropriate treatment, spasticity symptoms can be managed and quality of life improved..

Used sources and literature

Deluca GC, Griggs RC. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 368.

McGee S. Examination of the motor system: approach to weakness. In: McGee S, ed. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 61.

Oleszek JC, Davidson LT. Spasticity. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Bloom NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 730.