Spasticity is a condition where muscle tightness and stiffness occurs due to miscommunication between the brain and muscles, affecting your comfort, mobility, sleep, and daily activities. Left untreated, spasticity may cause permanent, painful contractures (shortened muscles and tendons) that limit flexibility and range of motion.
Medicines relax muscle tone, decrease spasms or contractions, and reduce pain. Medicine therapy for spasticity include:
- Intra-muscular injections: deliver medicine directly into the muscle
- Implanted devices: deliver medicine to the spinal fluid
- Botox® therapy: botulinum toxin injections that block nerve impulses
- Intrathecal baclofen therapy: implanted pump system with a small flexible tube (called a catheter) connected to the spinal fluid
Let us help you live better with medicine therapies for spasticity. Make an appointment with one of our physiatrists (specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation) today.
Who is a Candidate?
We see patients with a variety of conditions, such as:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cerebral palsy
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
If you experience limited function and pain from spasticity in only a few muscle groups, Botox® therapy can help.
For widespread or severe spasticity that doesn’t respond well to medicines (or medicines cause negative side-effects), you may be a candidate for an intrathecal baclofen pump. Your doctor will conduct special screening to see if this therapy is right for you.
What to Expect
Before treatment, we identify the muscles and nerves involved in spasticity using advanced electrodiagnostic testing (nerve conduction studies and electromyography).
Botox® therapy for spasticity
Botox® is given through several muscle injections during an outpatient visit. Short electrical impulses move through the needle to make the muscles contract. Botox wears off gradually, so we repeat injections every three months. Botox therapy is prescribed with stretching exercises and often physical therapy.
Intrathecal baclofen therapy for spasticity
Intrathecal baclofen therapy involves a pump, or a small metal disk, attached to a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. The pump and catheter are inserted in a procedure that takes one to two hours. The pump is programmed to continuously deliver medicine through the catheter to the spinal cord at prescribed doses and times.
Why Choose UHealth?
Highly-skilled physiatrists with subspecialty training and certification. With extra training in pain management, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and neuromuscular diseases, you get expert insight and experience when you need it most.
Leading-edge electrodiagnostic testing and expertise. We offer advanced eletrophysiological testing onsite, such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS). And with special expertise in electrodiagnostic medicine, we offer precise treatment with less damage to surrounding tissue.
Comprehensive intrathecal therapy services close to home. We’re here for all your intrathecal therapy needs, including implantation, reprogramming, and replacement services at locations near you.
Questions? We're here to help.
Our appointment specialists are ready to help you find what you need. Contact us today.