Spasticity

Authors
Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Reading list
  • Textbooks
    • Spasticity and Muscle Stiffness: Restoring Form and Function
  • Anatomy / phys
    • Ch3
    • ch2
  • Assessment
    • Ch4
    • ch3
  • Positioning
    • Ch5
  • PT Treatment
    • Ch5
    • Ch4
  • Orthoses
    • Ch6
  • Pharmacology
    • Ch7 pharmacological management
    • Baclofen
      • Ch5.2 Intrethecal baclofen therapy
      • Ch6 Intrathecal baclofen (adults)
      • Ch10
    • Botox
      • ch9
  • Surgery
    • Neurosurgery for Spasticity: A Practical Guide for Treating Children and Adults
    • Ch8 chemical neurolysis
    • Ch11 surgical management
  • Pediatric spasticity
    • ch12

Definition

According to the IAB-Interdisciplinary Working Group for Movement Disorders, spasticity is used as a general term to describe “involuntary muscle hyperactivity in the presence of central paresis”.

Within this “involuntary muscle hyperactivity” includes: spasticity sensu strictu, rigidity, dystonia, spasms, or a combination of these.

Classification

Spasticity is most often classified based on what body region it is impacting:

  • Arm (upper limb) spasticity
  • Leg (lower limb) spasticity
  • Hemispasticity
  • Paraspasticity
  • Tetraspasticity

References

1.
Raghavan P. Spasticity and Muscle Stiffness: Restoring Form and Function. 1st ed. Springer International Publishing AG; 2022.
2.
Sindou M. Neurosurgery for Spasticity: A Practical Guide for Treating Children and Adults. 2nd ed. Springer International Publishing AG; 2022.
3.
Johnson GR, Barnes MP, eds. Upper Motor Neuron Syndrome and Spasticity: Clinical Management and Neurophysiology. Second edition. Cambridge University Press; 2008. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511544866
4.
Johnson JL, Irrgang JJ, Risberg MA, Snyder-Mackler L. Comparing the Responsiveness of the Global Rating Scale With Legacy Knee Outcome Scores: A Delaware-Oslo Cohort Study. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2020;48(8):1953-1960. doi:10.1177/0363546520924817
5.
Dressler D, Bhidayasiri R, Bohlega S, et al. Defining spasticity: A new approach considering current movement disorders terminology and botulinum toxin therapy. Journal of Neurology. 2018;265(4):856-862. doi:10.1007/s00415-018-8759-1

Citation

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