Spasticity:

Question 1

Spasticity may be _____ or ______

Answer 1

mild

severe

Question 2

Spasticity occurs in ____% of pts

Answer 2

75%

Question 3

Pt’s may have:

Answer 3

• INcreased tone with rapid movements
• Hyperactive stretch reflexes
• Ankle clonus
• Spontaneous mm spasms
• • Babinski sign
• Dominance of primitive reflexes: ATNR, STNR, TLR: usually more in the LE

Question 4

Treatment:

Answer 4

• Positioning and ROM possible splinting to avoid deformities
• Relaxation, gentle massage, slow rocking and or rotations to reduce tone
• Prolonged icing, prolonged stretch or pressure on tendons of spastic mm’s
• Low load prolonged stretch and PNF techniques are effective

Question 5

Tests to measure change:

Answer 5

• Step length: maximum step distance forward/return without losing balance
• TUG; assess pt’s dynamic balance