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Overview of Spasticity

• Spasticity is a common outcome of central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

• Examples of conditions leading to spasticity include:

  • Stroke

  • Cerebral Palsy

Characteristics of Spasticity

• Slow Voluntary Movements: Movements are often slower due to impaired neural control.

• Exaggerated Tendon Reflexes: Reflex responses become amplified.

• Muscle Hypotonia: Reduced muscle tone when at rest.

• Velocity Dependent Resistance to Stretch: Resistance increases with the speed of passive movement.

Causes of Spasticity

• Changes in signals from the brain and spinal cord affect the functioning of skeletal muscles.

• Altered neural control alongside intrinsic muscle changes contributes to spasticity.

• Key factors include:

  • Increased connective tissue in muscles.

  • Excessive reflex response to passive stretch.

Clinical Presentation of Spasticity

• Spasticity leads to a range of clinical manifestations due to the interplay of physical changes in the muscles:

  • Detrimental muscle changes progress and interact.

  • Common clinical presentations arise from these factors.

Velocity Dependent Resistance in Spastic Muscle

• Resisted movement increases as the velocity of passive joint movement elevates.

• This phenomenon is particularly noted in post-stroke patients:

  • Increased Resistance: Resistance to passive stretching grows at higher speeds.

  • Soft Tissue Changes: Alterations in the soft tissues contribute to this resistance.

Conclusion

• Understanding spasticity and its implications is essential in managing disorders affecting the CNS.

• The relationship between muscle performance, neural control, and soft tissue changes is critical in clinical practice.