Spasticity

Question 1

Does spasticity result from damage/dysfunction of an individual HMC?

Answer 1

NO,

an interruption of integrated HMC transmissions

Question 2

Spasticity results from lesions that interrupt integrated HMC transmissions from reaching where?

Answer 2

THE ANTERIOR HORN

Question 3

________ matter lesions usually are the ones resulting in spasticity.

Answer 3

WHITE

Question 4

Name the 5 characteristics of spasticity?

Answer 4

1. HYPERREFLEXIA
2. REFLEX CHAIN REACTIONS
3. RE-EMERGENCE OF EARLY STAGE MOTOR PATTERNS
   after 6 months:
4. 1A NEURONAL SPROUTING
5. DECREASED AVAILABILITY OF GABA IN SC

Question 5

What is it called when basic excitatory reflex responses are in charge?

Answer 5

HYPERREFLEXIA

Question 6

Clonus (recurring activation of stretch reflexes on both sides of a joint) is an example of which characteristic of spasticity?

Answer 6

2. REFLEX CHAIN REACTIONS

Question 7

With the “characteristic of spasticity”: re-emergence of early stage motor patterns, what would you expect to see?

Answer 7

FLEXION DOMINANCE
+
BABINSKI’S SIGN

Question 8

What is it called when 1a neurons increase their firing intensity, and therefore the intensity of the stretch reflex, by adding new synapses with their alpha motor neuron?

Answer 8

NEURONAL SPROUTING

Question 9

What does reduced availability of gaba in the spinal cord mean for the GTO reflex?

Answer 9

LESS GABA AVAIL FOR GTO REFLEX
+
GTO REFLEXES WEAKER/ SHORTER DURATION

Question 10

For spastic muscles, it is good to do GTO, stripping and bowing, but not _______________.

Answer 10

COMPRESSION

Question 11

When treating spasticity, what two things should you not attempt to do at the same time?

Answer 11

do not MASSAGE and STRETCH

Question 12

What type of exercise can help reduce tone in spastic muscles?

Answer 12

RESISTANCE