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Spasticity Reviewed 05-27-2003 Get Web page suited for printing Email this to a friend or colleague Studies with patients Table of Contents (click to jump to sections) What is Spasticity?Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations Related NINDS Publications and Information What is Spasticity? Spasticity is a condition in which certain muscles are continuously contracted. This contraction causes stiffness or tightness of the muscles and may interfere with movement, speech, and manner of walking. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to the portion of the brain or spinal cord that controls voluntary movement. It may occur in association with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, damage to the brain because of lack of oxygen, brain trauma, severe head injury, and metabolic diseases such as adrenoleukodystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and phenylketonuria. Symptoms may include hypertonicity (increased muscle tone), clonus (a series of rapid muscle contractions), exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, muscle spasms, scissoring (involuntary crossing of the legs), and fixed joints. The degree of spasticity varies from mild muscle stiffness to severe, painful, and uncontrollable muscle spasms. Spasticity can interfere with rehabilitation in patients with certain disorders, and often interferes with daily activities. Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
Worldwide Education & Awareness for Movement
Disorders (WE MOVE)
Easter Seals Related NINDS Publications and Information
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