Depending on brain and spinal cord damage, spasticity can cause limited mobility of the lower extremities and difficulties in walking. Since each individual is unique, this can only be answered by a doctor on the base of symptoms and findings.
Category: Survivor Support
Is spasticity getting worse over time?
It depends. Untreated spasticity is very likely to increase over the years. However, if spasticity is treated consistently with medication and physiotherapy, it can be even reduced over time.
To prevent spasticity from getting worse, therapy should be regularly checked and adjusted
How is spasticity diagnosed and who do you get the diagnosis from?
Diagnosis of spasticity is mainly based on clinical evaluation that should include:
- Clinical history
- Physical examination
- evaluation of stretch reflexes (e.g., deep tendon reflexes, involuntary muscle contractions provoked by stretching the muscle with a tap on the tendon that connects the muscle to a bone)
- passive and active motion
- Function, e.g., toileting, eating, sleeping, dressing, sitting, standing, and walking
A proper assessment of the individual’s clinical and neurological status is critical in developing an effective treatment plan with achievable goals.
Spasticity is diagnosed if the patient shows an increased resistance to passive movements that increases with speed and typical positioning of the limbs, due to increased muscle tone. The diagnosis is not complicated for rehabilitation specialists but unfortunately a lot of other specialists/HCP are not trained and thus don’t recognized the symptoms or when they do so, don’t see the potential benefit of an adapted treatment.
Why does it take so long to identify spasticity in stroke patients?
Spasticity is diagnosed if the patient shows an increased resistance to passive movements that increases with speed and typical positioning of the limbs, due to increased muscle tone. The diagnosis is not complicated for rehabilitation specialists but unfortunately a lot of other specialists/HCP are not trained and thus don’t recognized the symptoms or when they do so, don’t see the potential benefit of an adapted treatment.