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Spinal-Injury.net :
Spinal Cord Injury - Spasticity
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After spinal cord injury the nerve cells below the
level of injury become disconnected from the brain.
Following the period of spinal shock changes occur
in the nerve cells that control muscle activity.
Spasticity is an exaggeration of the normal reflexes
that occur when the body is stimulated in certain
ways. After spinal cord injury, when nerves below
the injury become disconnected from those above,
these responses become exaggerated.
Muscle spasms, or spasticity, can occur any time
the body is stimulated below the injury. This is
particularly noticeable when muscles are stretched
or when there is something irritating the body below
the injury. Pain, stretch, or other sensations from
the body are transmitted to the spinal cord. Because
of the disconnection, these sensations will cause
the muscles to contract or spasm.
Almost anything can trigger spasticity. Some things,
however, can make spasticity more of a problem.
A bladder infection or kidney infection will often
cause spasticity to increase a great deal. A skin
breakdown will also increase spasms. In a person
who does not perform regular range of motion exercises,
muscles and joints become less flexible and almost
any minor stimulation can cause severe spasticity.
Some spasticity may always be present. The best
way to manage or reduce excessive spasms is to perform
a daily range of motion exercise program. Avoiding
situations such as bladder infections, skin breakdowns,
or injuries to the feet and legs will also reduce
spasticity. There are three primary medications
used to treat spasticity, baclofen, Valium, and
Dantrium. All have some side effects and do not
completely eliminate spasticity.
There are some benefits to spasticity. It can serve
as a warning mechanism to identify pain or problems
in areas where there is no sensation. Many people
know when a urinary tract infection is coming on
by the increase in muscle spasms. Spasticity also
helps to maintain muscle size and bone strength.
It does not replace walking, but it does help to
some degree in preventing osteoporosis. Spasticity
helps maintain circulation in the lefts. IT can
be used to improve certain functional activities
such as performing transfers or walking with braces.
For these reasons, treatment is usually started
only when spasticity interferes with sleep or limits
an individual's functional capacity.
Skin Breakdown
pneumonia
Osteoporosis and Fractures
Heterotopic
Ossification
Spasticity
Urinary
Tract Infections
Autonomic Dysreflexia
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Pulmonary Embolism
Orthostatic
Hypotension
Cardiovascular
Disease
Syringomyelia
Neuropathic / Spinal Cord
Pain
Medication Problems
Hyperthermia
Hypothermia
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Spinal-Injury.net :
Spinal Cord Injury - Spasticity
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