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Spasticity is a common motor disorder that is caused by abnormal increase in muscles tone. It is also linked with involuntary muscles spasms, contractions of muscles and extreme deep tendon reflexes that result to difficult movement. According to Jenkins (2005), although spasticity mostly affects legs and arms, it also affects other parts of the body such as neck, face, eyelids, trunk, or vocal cords.

Jenkins argues that, Spasticity disorder occurs due to spastic muscles that are resistant to normal stretching that happens during prolong contraction of muscles. The disorder varies on initial tone that includes state of relaxation and person’s posture that is not always present. Among abnormal postures that are associated with the disease are hemiplegic and scissors gait. However, spasticity may increase due to anxiety, emotions, sensory stimulation or pain. It may also be worsen by movement of involved muscles. It may also be aggravated from extreme temperatures, skin problems, bowel problems, tight clothing, pressure ulcers, and sometimes-ingrown toenail (Jenkins, 2005).

According to Penn (2006), its severity ranges from slight muscles stiffness to spasms that usually come and go to permanent contracture. The induced of spasticity contracture can be treated by medications. However, if muscles contractures are not treated, permanent contracture can occur thus making the muscles permanently shortened. Its severity interferes with child usual functioning of the body, motor along with speech development or comfort. The disease is painful especially when joints range of motions is inadequate.

Daily activities such as eating, dressing, walking and bathing become difficult for patients having this disorder. When these activities are limited for a long period, it causes severe problems such as pneumonia, sleep disturbances and pressure sores. Currently, spasticity disorder has been a major concern in the entire world. The exact incidence for the disease is not known. A research has shown that, spasticity have affected 400, 000 Americans and 12 million globally (Bohannon & Smith 1987).

Spasticity occurs when some nerve signals fail to reach the muscles due to injury or diseases that tamper with brain or else spinal cord. The muscles receive inappropriate nerve signals causing contraction while making the brain unable to communicate with motor nerves to stop contraction of muscles. It is mainly caused by damage of motor cortex and cortical tracts that controls motor commands in the brain. The common neurological conditions that are associated with spasticity include brain injury, head injury, spinal cord injuries, stroke and Cerebral palsy that is defines as a group of non-progressive disorders of postures that are caused by abnormal development. Its symptoms are severe which are characterized by increased muscle tone and through stiffness of muscles.

Symptoms of spasticity include abnormal positioning of fingers, wrist, shoulder or wrist with increase resistance of movement of certain muscles. Other symptoms include increase of muscles stretch reflexes, extended contraction of muscles, severe deep tendon jerks and rapid repetitive jerky motions. Diagnosis of spasticity is a times made with diagnosis spinal injury or brain injuries. Doctors should be consulted to provide with accurate treatment before its severity.

Although Krach (2001) argues there is no cure for spasticity, it can be managed with appropriate treatment. Treatments options include occupational therapy, physical therapy, surgery and medications. The goal of treatment is to decrease pain, decrease the risk of developing contractures of joints, help in daily activities and ease mobility. Physical therapy includes stretching exercises to prevent muscles from shortening. Exercises are recommended daily by physical therapies that help in restoring strength of muscles. Occupational therapy includes training of proper positioning of limb while sitting in a wheel chair or when lying in bed. Other treatments include electrical stimulation that is used in reducing spasticity fort a short period. Biofeedback training may be used in teaching victims how to reduce muscle tensions. In addition, a research has been done to showing how medications treat spasticity. In treating spasticity, medicines are usually taken by mouth, injected and a time received through continuous delivery systems. Medication prevents contractions of muscles. There is no cure of Spasticity but can be well managed with proper combination with the above treatments.

 

 

References

Bohannon, R. W. Smith, M. B (1987). Interrater Reliability of a Modified Ashworth Scale of       Muscle Spasticity. Physical therapy, 67 (2).

Jenkins, S.P. (2005). Sports Science Handbook. Retrieved from             http://multiscience.metapress.com.ezproxy.eou.edu/content/rg4462/

Krach, L. E. (2001). Pharmacotherapy of Spasticity: Oral Medications and Intrathecal Baclofen. Journal of Child Neurology, 16 (31-36).

Penn, R. D (2006). Intrathecal Baclofen for Severe Spasticity. Annals of the New York academy   of sciences, 531 (157-166).

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