Improving muscle control and function
What is Spasticity?
Spasticity is an abnormal increase in muscle tone causing stiffness, tightness or involuntary movement. The change in muscle tone may affect movement, speech and gait, and may include pain or discomfort.
What causes Spasticity?
Spasticity is caused by a brain or spinal cord injury resulting in damage to the nerve pathways controlling muscle impulse. The most common causes of spasticity are due to:
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Cerebral Palsy(CP)
Spinal cord injury
Post-stroke
What does Spasticity feel like?
The condition is described as muscle tightness, stiffness, loss of muscle control, which can lead to involuntary muscle contractions, and contracture, all of which can be extremely painful. Spasticity can interfere with speech and movement severely impacting daily function and quality of life.
Spasticity Treatment Options
Fortunately, there are various treatment options available depending on severity and function. CPSC offers medication management (anti-spasmodics), injections (trigger points, nerve blocks, and botox), in addition to, implantable Baclofen pumps (Targeted Drug Delivery) which allows for the delivery of medication into the fluid filled space around the spinal cord (Intrathecal Space) with much less medication reducing potential for side effects.
Medication Management
Anti-spasmodics are medications given orally and include medications such as Baclofen, Valium, and Dantrolene
Traditional Injections
Spasticity can also be treated with various injections including trigger points, nerve blocks, and botox
BACLOFEN PUMPS
Baclofen Pumps are used to delivery small amounts of medicine directly to your spinal cord bypassing the barriers encountered by oral medications