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Management and treatment
Fortunately, there are several treatment options for spasticity and patients usually undergo more than one treatment at a time.
The following treatments have been shown to effectively alleviate symptoms and improve quality of daily life.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Botulinum Toxin injections

Local injections of botulinum toxin or injected into spastic muscles can be very effective for treating spasticity. These shots can selectively reduce tone in muscles causing the most tightness or spasm.

During botulinum toxin injections, your provider injects the toxin into carefully selected sites in your muscle, causing spastic muscles to relax. This may improve comfort, positioning and function. The effects usually take seven to 10 days to become noticeable, and typically last around three months.

This therapy is usually a consideration when spasticity needs to be relieved in only a few muscle groups. It can be used in addition to other treatments for spasticity.

Stretching and strengthening exercises focusing on large muscle groups to improve range of motion and mobility.

Exercises that focus on small muscle groups to improve strength and coordination allowing for improved performance of daily tasks.

Can also be done by patients whose spasticity has affected their speech.

Prevents involuntary spasms and reduces tightening of the muscles.

Oral medications are used in combination with other therapies or medications, such as physical or occupational therapy, oral medications are only used if symptoms interfere with daily functioning or sleep. Common medications include:
  • Baclofen.
  • Benzodiazepines.
  • Dantrolene sodium.
  • Imidazolines.
  • Gabapentin
 

Surgery

Healthcare providers typically only recommend surgical treatments for spasticity in severe cases.
These types of treatment include:

Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump

A pump can be surgically placed in a patient’s abdomen and will release a steady dose of baclofen directly to the spinal fluid. This allows for a significant reduction in spasticity.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR)

Spasticity can be caused by an imbalance in electrical signals to antagonist muscles. SDR rebalances the electrical signals sent to the spinal cord by cutting selective nerve roots. SDR is most commonly used in patients with cerebral palsy.

Follow-up

Patients are recommended to follow up with their doctor regularly to ensure proper treatment of the condition. Patients who take oral medications or who do physical and/or occupational therapy should follow-up with their doctors as instructed and needed.