Medical Management of Spasticity Flashcards
What disorders are typically associated with spasticity?
CP, TBI, CVA, SCI, Neurodegenerative disorders, myelodysplasia (spina bifida)
What is spasticity?
Disorder of muscle tone characterized by velocity dependent increase in resistance of a limb at rest to externally imposed joint motion
Give the proposed theory for why spasticity occurs.
It may be due to lack of descending inhibitory input to alpha motor neuron (neuron always excited)
Why would spasticity be considered helpful to children?
holds child up, good for standing pivot, muscle being activated so muscle mass increases and skin breakdown, swelling, and blood clots are decreased
Spasticity is harmful because of what?
Impairs typical volitional function, increased risk of contracture, increased metabolic requirements
Give the 4 oral medications for decreasing spasticity?
Baclofen (#1)
Dantrolene
Tizanidine
Benzodiazepenes
What is the purpose of oral medications and what are some common side effects of the medications?
Achieves generalized decrease in muscle tone (not just one muscle)
Side Effects
Sedation, confusion, dizziness, decreased cognition, increased incontinence
What are the two types of injections and where are they inserted?
Botulinum Toxin goes straight to the muscles
Phenol Injections of benzyl alcohol go perineurally
Botox is a protein that produces what kind of outcome?
Binds to neuromuscular junction inhibiting acetylcholine release which results in an inhibition of muscle contractions
Why would Botox wear off and how long does that process take?
It wears off because the neuromuscular junction remodels. This process takes about 3-6 months
Why does Botox not completely inhibit the muscle it is injected in to?
The muscles are so large that it will not cover all the muscle fibers.
What is the best time to start treating a patient who has had recent bots injections?
10-14 days: This is the peak time
Why would a therapist recommend a patient look into Botox for treatment of spasticity?
Decreases spasticity and painful spasms; decrease post-sx pain; Improve UE function; improve ambulation; facilitate bracing, positioning, and therapy; commonly used in conjunction with serial casting
What is the cytotoxic effect of phenol neurolysis?
Demyelination and Wallerian degeneration
Give the advantages and disadvantages of phenol neurolysis.
Advantages: Lasts 9-15 months, cheaper, immediate effect
Disadvantages: Cooperative patient or conscoius sedation (painful), technically difficult to localize motor nerve, time consuming
What are some of the risks associated with phenol neurolysis?
Decreased sensation, vascular and skin side effects
An Intrathecal baclofen pump is placed where?
The pump and catheter are placed in the body, intrathecally at the specific level of the spine based on the child’s spasticity
How are patients chosen to get a intrathecal baclofen pump?
Over 2 years old, usually over 25 lbs, spastic quad/di/hemi/tri- plegic, non-ambulatory or ambulatory
Give some reasons that patients may choose oral baclofen over an intrathecal baclofen pump.
- Low blood brain barrier with high systemic absorption and low CNS absorption
- Lack of preferential spinal cord distribution
- Some pts with unacceptable side effects
- 60 mg dose