Spasticity

Question 1

What is spasticity?

Answer 1

Velocity-dependent increase in resistance to passive stretch of a muscle with exaggerated tendon reflexes.

Question 2

What is a stretch reflex?

Answer 2

Get sensory input from muscle spindle -> afferent nerve -> dorsal horn -> ventral horn -> motor (efferent) -> reflex/movement.

Question 3

Why would it become enhanced?

Answer 3

Due to UMN lesion inhibitory tracts the stretch reflex is enhanced increasing muscle tone.

Question 4

Why is spasticity bad?

Answer 4

1. muscles shorten
2. reduction in number of sarcomeres
3. Increase in collagen content
4. Increase in passive stiffness of the joint.
5. feeling of increased tone

Question 5

How to educate a person with spaasticity?

Answer 5

Infection, red/broken skin,
urinary retention, constipation, tight clothing, poor posture.

Question 6

How to treat spasticity?

Answer 6

Maintaining muscle length/joint rom
Correct postures
facilitate strengthening, neuro recovery, function.

Question 7

What is active movement and what its benefits?

Answer 7

Resistance
Aerobic - increase muscle strength, improve arom, enhance motor relearning
Functional treatment - helps inhibition, improves function, the ability for the brain to adapt
NHMES - improve movement patterns, motor re-learning, neuroplasticity, reps, skill acquisition