Spasm Flashcards
What is the definition of a cramp?
Painful prolonged muscle spasm
What is the definition of a spasm?
Involuntary sustained contraction of a muscle
What is the difference between an extrinsic and intrinsic mm spasm?
Extrinsic= involuntary protective mechanism. A prolonged contraction in response to painful stimulus. Usually goes away when insult is removed
Intrinsic= prolonged contraction related to alteration in circulatory or metabolic functioning of the muscle itself. Resulting in direct or indirect trauma ( ie: emotional stress, fatigue, cold, inflammation, nutritional deficiencies)
What are come interview questions specific to this condition?
How is the clients general health?
Contributing factors ( pregnancy, vascular disease, diabetes?)
Alterations in electrolyte balance? Eating changes?
Previous injury to area?
Where is the pain? What is the quality?
Change in activity? Sleeping? Stress?
Is the client feeling chilled?
Is the client on any medications or supplements?
Sleeping position?
What might you feel upon Palpation?
.affected mm may be hot due to acute congestion or cool due to ischemia
. Affected mm is tender due to ischemia
.Texture is acutely spasmodic, mm is form, dense and congested
. Texture of a mm with an intrinsic spasm is hard/fibrous
. Affected mm as well as antagonists and synergists may have increased mm tone
Possible signs and symptoms of this condition?
. Pain within mm due to ischemia, metabolites, acute trauma, referred p
. Spasm, increased mm tone, decreased ROM at joints where crossed by affected mm
. Antagonists and synergists affected and may refer pain into spasmodic cycle
. Antalgic posture/gait may be present
. Pained facial expression
What type of hydrotherapy would you use in this condition?
Ice if reflex mm guarding in response to acute injury ( ice pack used as a algae sic affect to break pain spasm cycle)
Heat if intrinsic mm spasm in chronically tense/ischemic mm
With calf cramps, what condition or conditions is important to rule out?
DVT
What kind of homecare can you give someone with this condition?
Hydro
DDB
Pain free AROM of joint crossed by this mm followed by slow passive stretch of 30 s ( no bouncing)
If spasm returns-do the reciprocal inhibition
What are CIs for this condition?
.Do not completely take away the mm guarding. It may be protecting the joint from further injury
. Do not force a stretch to acutely spasmodic mm ( possible tearing)
. Do not heat acute injury
. Local massage to DVT
What might AROM reveal?
PROM?
AROM: decreased arom of the joint crossed by affected mm. pain at end ranges when mm is shortened or lengthened
PROM: prom that lengthens the affected mm reveals mm spasm end feel with pain and decreased ROM
What might AROM reveal?
PROM?
AROM: decreased arom of the joint crossed by affected mm. pain at end ranges when mm is shortened or lengthened
PROM: prom that lengthens the affected mm reveals mm spasm end feel with pain and decreased ROM
What might cause you to think DVT?
Pregnancy
Long flights or prolonged sitting ( truck drivers)
What test might you do if you suspect DVT?
Homen sign.
They would have a diminished dorsal pedal pulse as well as a positive Homen sign.
Put client in prone, put them into dorsi flexion and squeeze the calf mm. If there is P behind the Knee they are +
If + must send to hospital
What indirect techniques would be indicated for this condition?
Hydro
Reflexive ( DDB, relaxation)
Body positioning
Decrease TPS in compensations
Increase circulation proximal to spasm
Reciprocal inhibition/GTO/ O&I, MM approx
