What is spasticity?Spasticity is the uncontrolled tightening or contracting of the muscles that is common in individuals with spinal cord injuries. About 65%–78% of the SCI population have some amount of spasticity, and it is more common in cervical (neck) than thoracic (chest) and lumbar (lower back) injuries. Show
Symptoms and severity of spasticity vary from person to person and can include:
What causes spasticity?The nerves of the spinal cord and brain form a complex communication circuit that controls our body movements. Information on sensations or processes such as touch, movement or muscle stretch is sent up the spinal cord to the brain. In response, the brain interprets the signal and sends the necessary commands back down the spinal cord to tell your body how to react. The reaction of the body, such as jerking away from a hot object, is a reflex and happens quickly and automatically. After a spinal cord injury, the normal flow of signals is disrupted, and the message does not reach the brain. Instead, the signals are sent back to the motor cells in the spinal cord and cause a reflex muscle spasm. This can result in a twitch, jerk or stiffening of the muscle. Just about any touch, movement or irritation can trigger and sustain spasms. Common triggers are:
Spasticity can be irritating, inconvenient or even limit your ability to go through your day. What are the benefits of spasticity in SCI?Spasticity is not always harmful or bothersome and does not always need to be treated. Sometimes spasticity can help with functional activities such as standing or transferring. Spasticity that causes your fingers to bend can help you grip objects. Spasticity can also be a signal that you have a medical problem that you might not know about otherwise, such as a urinary tract infection, fracture, or pressure sore. What problems are caused by spasticity?
Managing spasticity after SCIFirst, practice healthy behaviors and good self-care that will help you avoid problems that can increase spasticity, such as urinary tract infections and skin breakdown. Check to see if any of the common triggers listed above may be causing the problem. Physical treatmentsThe following treatments will help to maintain flexibility and therefore reduce spasticity and the risk for permanent joint contracture:
MedicationsWhen physical measures are not enough to control spasticity, medications may be needed.
If spasticity involves large areas of your body, your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following medications:
The effectiveness of these medications varies with each person. Because these medications can have side effects such as fatigue or drowsiness, weakness, nausea, or sometimes low blood pressure, your provider needs to monitor you closely.
If only part of your body has spasticity, anesthetic medications, alcohol, phenol or neurotoxins (such as strains of botulinum toxin) can be injected into the muscles that have spasticity. The medications rarely cause widespread side-effects. The benefits of the injections are only temporary, however, so injections must be repeated a few times a year. These injections can be used alone or in combination with oral spasticity medications. Surgery
Intrathecal drug therapy uses a surgically placed, battery-powered pump and an attached catheter to deliver medication directly into the spinal canal, around the spinal cord (called the “intrathecal” space). The most commonly used intrathecal drug for spasticity is baclofen. Intrathecal baclofen can be used in conjunction with the other treatments listed above. This treatment is generally not recommended until other treatments have been tried and failed to provide relief or if oral medications cause unacceptable side effects. Advantages of intrathecal baclofen:
Disadvantages of intrathecal baclofen:You will need surgery to implant the pump and catheter system. Any surgery has risks, such as infection. The pump has a limited battery life and will need to be replaced about every 5-7 years. You will need to go to your provider periodically for pump refills (done by injecting baclofen through the skin into the pump reservoir). Mechanical problems with the device may occur and could result in a baclofen overdose or underdose. For this reason, it is important for you to understand the risks, monitor yourself carefully, and get regular follow-up from your provider.
Other surgical treatments for spasticity are far less commonly performed because they are not reversible. These include cutting a section of the spinal cord (myelotomy) or nerve roots (rhizotomy), or lengthening and transposing a tendon. Your doctor will discuss these surgical options with you if necessary. Which treatment is best for me?Discuss your specific needs and treatment options with your health care provider or team. You may need to try different methods, medications, or combinations of treatments before you feel your spasticity is under control. Consider the following questions and discuss them with your provider:
Whatever treatment you choose, you will need to work closely with your treatment provider or team to get the best possible outcome. What happens to spasticity over time?In general, spasticity appears to become less bothersome over time. Possibly this happens because people learn to avoid things that trigger spasticity. Changes that naturally go on in the body as you age, such as a slowing down of nerve conduction, may also decrease spasticity. However, an unexplained, sudden or dramatic change in your spasticity level may sometimes signal a problem, so let your health care provider know immediately. AuthorshipSpasticity and Spinal Cord Injury was developed by Maria R. Reyes, MD and Anthony Chiodo, MD, in collaboration with the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. Portions of this document were adapted from materials developed by the University of Michigan and UAB Model Systems. Source: Our health information content is based on research evidence whenever available and represents the consensus of expert opinion of the SCI Model System directors. Disclaimer: This information is not meant to replace the advice from a medical professional. You should consult your health care provider regarding specific medical concerns or treatment. Which action will the nurse take to prevent skin breakdown for a client who is on bed rest?Changing a patient's position in bed every 2 hours helps keep blood flowing. This helps the skin stay healthy and prevents bedsores.
Which client action would the nurse score as 3 on the muscle strength scale?If the patient tolerates no resistance, the muscle score is Grade 3. If the patient tolerates some resistance, the score is Grade 4, and full resistance, Grade 5. If the patient cannot move against gravity, the patient is repositioned to allow movement of the extremity with gravity eliminated.
Which factors contribute to a client's slow rate of healing?Here are 10 of the most common factors affecting wound healing in chronic wounds:. Age of Patient. There are many overall changes in healing capacity that are related to age. ... . Type of Wound. ... . Infection. ... . Chronic Diseases. ... . Poor Nutrition. ... . Lack of Hydration. ... . Poor Blood Circulation. ... . Edema.. Which instruction would a nurse give to a client who asks for assistance on the bedpan on the first postoperative day after a total hip replacement?On the first postoperative day after a total hip replacement a client asks for assistance onto the bedpan. What should the nurse instruct the client to do? "Flex the knee on the unoperated leg and pull on the trapeze to lift your pelvis."
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