Spastisity
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What is Spasticity?
Spasticity is a condition characterized by abnormal muscle tightness due to prolonged muscle contraction. It is often associated with damage to the brain or spinal cord that controls voluntary movement. This condition can interfere with movement, speech, and gait, significantly impacting daily activities and quality of life.
Causes of Spasticity
Spasticity can result from various neurological conditions, including:
Cerebral Palsy: A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone, often caused by damage to the developing brain.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): An autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to muscle stiffness and spasms.
Stroke: Damage to the brain from interrupted blood supply can cause muscle tightness and spasticity.
Spinal Cord Injury: Trauma to the spinal cord can disrupt signals between the brain and muscles, causing spasticity.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Head injuries can lead to muscle control problems and spasticity.
Types of Spasticity
1. Cerebral Spasticity
Caused by conditions like cerebral palsy, this type affects muscle control and coordination, often leading to abnormal postures and movements.
2. Spinal Spasticity
Results from spinal cord injuries or diseases like multiple sclerosis, causing stiffness and spasms in the muscles below the level of injury.
Spasticity Treatments and Procedures
1.Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) Surgery
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Surgery (SDR): This surgical procedure involves cutting selective nerve roots in the spinal cord that contribute to spasticity. By reducing the number of nerve signals sent to the muscles, SDR helps decrease muscle stiffness and improve mobility, particularly in children with cerebral palsy.
2. Intrathecal Baclofen Pump
Intrathecal Baclofen Pump: This treatment involves implanting a pump that delivers baclofen, a muscle relaxant, directly into the spinal fluid. The continuous delivery of baclofen helps manage severe spasticity by reducing muscle stiffness and spasms, improving comfort and mobility for patients with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and cerebral palsy.
