Spasticity is a condition characterized by increased muscle tone, resulting in heightened resistance to stretch. It is typically associated with neurological disorders and affects muscle control and coordination.
Key Features of Spasticity:
- Muscular Hypertonicity: Muscles exhibit excessive tone, leading to stiffness and resistance when stretched. This increased tone often affects specific muscle groups, commonly the flexors of the arms and the extensors of the legs.
- Increased Resistance to Stretch: When attempting to stretch or move the affected muscles, there is an abnormal resistance due to the increased muscle tone.
- Associated Symptoms:
- Weakness: Despite the increased muscle tone, there is often accompanying muscle weakness.
- Increased Deep Reflexes: Deep tendon reflexes, such as the knee-jerk reflex, are exaggerated.
- Diminished Superficial Reflexes: Reflexes such as the light touch response may be reduced.
- Degrees of Spasticity:
- Moderate Spasticity: Movements are laborious and lack normal coordination, requiring significant effort.
- Slight Spasticity: Movements may still be grossly coordinated but involve uncoordinated or limited selective movement patterns.
Spasticity is commonly seen in conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Management often includes physical therapy to improve muscle coordination and range of motion, medications to reduce muscle tone, and sometimes surgical interventions to address severe cases.