ADULT REHABILITATION · Health guide
What Is Spasticity? Muscle Stiffness and the Treatment Approach
What is spasticity and how does it affect everyday movement? Learn how muscle stiffness is assessed, what the goals of rehabilitation are and what follow-up options exist.
Updated: · General information
What is it?
Spasticity is an increase in the resistance of muscles to stretch, arising from involvement of the nervous system. It may occur after a stroke, in cerebral palsy, or following spinal cord injury.
How is it assessed?
The physician assesses muscle tone, joint movement, pain and the effect on daily life. Concrete goals are set, such as dressing, personal care and walking.
How is rehabilitation planned?
Positioning, movement training and, where needed, orthoses form part of the programme. Medication or botulinum toxin injection is selected by the physician; the aim is to make daily function and care easier.
What is examined when muscle stiffness is assessed?
Spasticity is an increase in muscle tone that can follow damage to the nervous system; not every instance of stiffness or cramp is spasticity. On examination, resistance that varies with the speed of movement, the range of joint motion, pain and voluntary movement are all assessed together. Describing which tasks have become difficult — dressing, hand hygiene, sitting or walking — helps to define the goal of treatment.
How is the success of treatment monitored?
The aim is not merely to relax the muscle but to improve function and ease of care. Positioning, exercise, orthoses and, where needed, medication or injection are considered together. A sudden increase in stiffness prompts a search for triggers such as a skin wound, pain or infection. After treatment, the change in the targeted everyday tasks is monitored.
Your questions
Patient information
Are spasticity and muscle shortening the same thing?
No. Spasticity is an increase in tone related to the nervous system, whereas a contracture is permanent shortening of tissue that limits joint movement. The two can coexist and may require different approaches.
Does everyone need botulinum toxin?
No. The target muscles, the existing strength and the functional need must all be assessed. Even when injection is chosen, it does not replace the rehabilitation plan.
