Spasticity is a motor abnormality caused by increased muscle tone. Under normal conditions, muscle tissue is elastic, limbs are bent and unbent without any effort. When muscle resistance is felt during extension and flexion, this indicates an increase in their tone. Patients note that with spasticity in the muscles, “rigidity” is felt.
Set of reasons
The main reason for the appearance of spasticity is an imbalance of signals that pass to the muscles from the spinal cord and brain. In addition, the reasons may be:
- brain and spinal cord injuries;
- infectious diseases accompanied by brain inflammation (meningitis, encephalitis);
- previous strokes;
- hypoxia (damage caused by oxygen deficiency);
- the presence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
If the patient has spasticity, factors such as intestinal infection and constipation may aggravate the situation; infectious skin pathologies accompanied by inflammation; clothes that restrict movement; Infectious diseases of the genitourinary system. Regardless of the degree of pathology severity in a person, these factors can worsen his condition.
Symptomatology
The main signs of muscle spasticity are:
- increased muscle tone;
- involuntary muscle contractions and cramps;
- the process of deformation in joints and bones;
- violation of posture;
- pain
- excessive activity of reflexes;
- the occurrence of spasms and contractures.
In addition to the above, in patients with sudden movements in the limbs there is acute pain.
After a stroke, with sclerosis and injuries
Spasticity is a disease that usually does not develop immediately, but a few months after a stroke. However, the doctor can see the first signs in two to three weeks. Initially, flaccid muscles acquire a tone, it rises and becomes stronger when reacting to environmental stimuli (for example, an attempt to straighten or bend a limb). Spasticity after a stroke after six months or a year, the maximum turns into a problem that greatly affects the quality of human life, he feels pain.
Often in the upper torso, fingers, wrist, elbow and shoulder suffer. In the lower body, the process can affect the knee, thigh, toes, or ankle. In the area of the hand, the flexor muscles are most often affected, on the leg - the extensor muscles.
Is it necessary to say that such a violation adversely affects the patient’s ability to eat, dress (a person cannot hold a spoon), do hygiene, write with a pen, etc.
Spasticity of the tongue refers to a defect in the tone of the muscles and directly of the tongue, and also of the lips, neck, face. In patients in this case, the tongue is pulled back, its back is bent, raised up, while the tip of the tongue is not expressed. An organ can sometimes be pulled forward with a sting.
Strengthening the tone of the oral circular muscle causes a tight closure of the lips or, conversely, a person has an open mouth. Also in the second case, there is a strong course of saliva.
Patients with central paralysis have brain damage to the head. With inflammation of those cellular areas that are responsible for muscle tone, spasticity of the arms and legs appears, with central congenital paralysis, deformation of the limbs occurs gradually, not immediately.
With multiple sclerosis, two types of spasticity are formed: extensor and flexor. In the first case, people have an involuntary straightening of the lower extremities. In the second case, the hips and knees in patients are bent, clinging to the chest.
In cases of cerebellar disturbances and injuries of the brain of the head, brain stem and midbrain, a change in muscle tone is noted, which is manifested by defects in movements, sensitivity and reflexes.
If spasticity is not treated, then after three to four years contractures are formed - articular deformities. Bones are also deformed. There are forced poses that bring pain.
Diagnostic Methods
The specialist in the process of diagnosis first of all studies the patient’s medical history and what medicines he takes, whether one of the close relatives of the person suffers from neurological disorders. Spasticity is diagnosed using tests that are based on an assessment of leg and arm movements, muscle activity in passive and active movements. The doctor, upon examination of the patient, determines whether there is resistance to the extremities during passive extension and flexion. In the presence of resistance, we can speak of spasticity, too much ease of movement can indicate paresis.
Treatment methods
If the treatment of spasticity is timely and correct, you can completely cope with the disease. The treatment aims to improve the functionality of the legs and arms, relieve pain. Therapeutic methods and drugs are selected based on the severity of the disease, the disorders caused by it and the duration of this condition. Treatment is carried out in a number of areas:
- drug therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- surgical intervention.
Prediction and prevention of the disease
Regarding the forecast, it must be said that it is individual in each case. The outcome depends on the degree to which muscle tone is increased, what is the level of severity of the disease and other circumstances. The spasticity of the legs and arms causes the formation of contractures, which can significantly complicate the process of caring for the victim. As a preventive measure, you need to monitor the correct position of the head, as well as the limbs of the patient. For this, special devices, for example, orthoses and langets, can be used. It is also advisable to change the position of the body more often, when performing certain movements, observe changes in muscle tone. If it worsens, you should immediately contact specialists for help.
Reviews about this pathology from patients
Spasticity without treatment causes significant discomfort in the lives of patients, leading them to immobility.
People who encounter such a problem argue that the key to this is preventing the disorder by giving the body of the affected person the correct position at rest and the early start of complex physical rehabilitation. In the treatment of spasticity, a combination of non-drug and drug manipulations is used. Patients note that with focal spasticity that impedes the movement, makes it difficult to care and is accompanied by pain, botulinum toxin injections into hyperactive muscles become the most common treatment tactic.
The experience of treating people with spasticity after a stroke suggests the effectiveness of an integrated approach to rehabilitation.