| Spasticity is a condition in which a muscle, or groups of
muscles, are continuously or repeatedly contracted. This continual contraction
causes stiffness or tightness of the muscles and can interfere
with movements, speech, and walking.
One of the more common symptoms in multiple sclerosis, spasticity
can cause a range of problems and difficulties, although in some instances,
it can actually improve movement by causing muscle rigidity to work
against weakness (paresis) in other muscles.
Symptoms of spasticity may include hypertonicity (increased
muscle tone), clonus (a series of rapid muscle contractions),
muscle spasms, and involuntary crossing of the legs called
scissoring.The degree of spasticity varies from mild muscle stiffness
to severe, painful, and uncontrollable muscle spasms and can show as
unusual posturing, for example, carrying the shoulder, arm, wrist, and
fingers at an abnormal angle.
Severe, long term, spasticity may lead to contractures
of the muscles, which is a chronic, incurable shortening and tightening
of the muscle. With contracture also comes the possibility of fixed
and immobile joints, often at an unusual angle.
Physical Therapy and exercise help avoid the possibility
of the development of contractures resulting form spasticity by keeping
the muscles supple.Medications are available for spasticity, including both hypertonic
spasticity and clonus.
The most commonly used are Baclofen
and Tizanidine.
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