What is spasticity?
Spasticity is a neurological movement disorder that causes muscles to feel tight or stiff, which can make it hard to move or control certain parts of your body. It happens when there’s a problem with the signals between your brain, spinal cord and muscles.
Spasticity is a common symptom in people with certain neurological conditions, such as:
- Cerebral palsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Stroke
- Brain or spinal cord injury
Normally, your muscles work together so that when one tightens, the other relaxes. But when the brain or spinal cord is damaged, this system doesn’t work the way it should. Instead, many muscles can tighten all at once, which can make movement feel jerky, stiff or hard to control.
Spasticity symptoms
Symptoms of spasticity can affect people in very different ways. Some may feel mild tightness in their muscles, while others may have extremely painful spasms that prevent them from doing their regular activities. In some cases, joints can become frozen in an abnormal position, a condition called contracture. Stiffness can cause certain movements to be more difficult.
In addition to stiffness and muscle spasms, symptoms of spasticity include:
- Increased muscle tone (hypertonia)
- Involuntary crossing of the legs
- Irregular posture
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle fatigue
- Pain and discomfort
- Changes in the shape or alignment of muscles, joints or bones
- Disrupted sleep due to muscle tightness or spasms
When to see a doctor
See your primary care provider right away if you experience spasticity with no known cause. It could be a sign of a serious problem, such as brain or spinal cord damage. You should also see your doctor if you have been previously diagnosed with spasticity and the condition is getting worse or making it difficult to do everyday activities.
Complications of spasticity
Depending on the severity of the condition, untreated spasticity can lead to a number of complications. Severe spasticity can be extremely painful and limit your ability to perform daily activities. When you are unable to move and restricted to a chair or bed, you may develop bedsores, which can be very painful and become infected.
Additional complications include:
- Contractures: Muscles that contract and remain stiff can lead to frozen joints.
- Bladder and urinary problems: Chronic constipation and urinary tract infections can occur with spasticity.
- Bone fractures and joint dislocation: Spasticity can make movement difficult and make bone fractures or dislocated joints more likely to happen.
- Poor sleep: Muscle tightness or spasms can prevent you from falling or staying asleep.
Spasticity treatment
Treating spasticity depends on what's causing it and how much it affects your daily life. Some people may only need mild interventions like stretching or physical therapy, while others may require a combination of therapies, medications or even surgery to help manage muscle stiffness and spasms.
With the right combination of treatments, many people with spasticity can improve their comfort, mobility and quality of life. Your doctor will help you create a care plan that meets your goals and adapts as your needs change.
Find specialized care for spasticity
At Baylor Scott & White, we offer several locations for specialized care and treatment of spasticity, including neurology centers across North and Central Texas. Our experienced team is ready to provide personalized care to help improve your quality of life. Whether you're seeking a definitive diagnosis, looking for treatment options or require ongoing support, we're by your side.
