Spasticity Flashcards
What is Spasticity?
a sensory-motor disorder causing intermittent or sustained involuntary activation
What populations can spasticity effect?
MS; stroke; CP; SCI; UMN; ALS
What is a positive vs negative result?
positive: see something that you shouldn’t
negative: not seeing something that you should
What control is lacking with spasticity?
corticospinal
What is a potential long term effect of spasticity?
sarcomere shortening and filling with fat cells
What are the levels of the Ashworth scale?
0: none
1: catch and release
1+: catch follow by minimal resistance
2: increase of tone, but still easily moved
3: PROM difficult
4: rigidity
What are the various medications used for spasticity?
Baclofen: most common: Gabba B agonist; substance P inhibitor
Dantrolene: Ca channel blocker in SR; hepatotoxis
Diazepam: Gabba A agonist; also anti-anxiety
Tizanidine: Alpha Adrenergic; most tolerated and works well, but most expensive
Alternative to oral medication?
intrathecal: baclofen pump
intramuscular: botox (lasts 3-6 months)
nerve block
What are the Manual techniques for spasticity management?
Ther Ex; posture and standing; manual stretching; casting; splinting; stretching
What are the functional impairments of spasticity?
impaired gait; Increased fall risk; increase contracture risk; urinary incontinence; decreased sexual ability
What are the positive signs of UMN syndrome?
spasticity; spastic dystonia; spastic co-contraction; synkinesis; increase muscle stiffness and contracture; released flexor reflexes
What are the negative signs of UMN syndrome?
motor weakness; muscle fatigue; loss of selective control
