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Overview
Muscles have a certain amount of tone or activity. The tone of muscles is controlled by signals from the brain. If the part of the brain that sends these control signals is damaged by a stroke, then the muscle may become too active. This is called spasticity.
Symptoms
Stroke survivors experiencing muscle spasticity may have a clenched fist, a bent elbow, an arm pressed against their chest, a stiff knee, or a pointed foot.
Causes
Muscle spasticity can cause stiffness in the fingers, arms, or legs, muscle spasms, overactive reflexes, uncontrollable rhythmic contractions, and relaxations in the muscles that lead to jerking. This is called clonus. It can cause changes in posture and pain.
Diagnosis
Several tests can help confirm the diagnosis. These tests evaluate your arm and leg movements, muscular activity, passive, and active range of motion, and ability to perform self-care activities.
Prevention
Avoid tight-fitting clothes, maintain posture, drink sufficient water, check for skin infections, avoid stress, maintain a regular sleep cycle, follow an exercise regimen, and take medications regularly as prescribed.
Treatment
Antispasmodic medicines, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.
Everyday Life
Spasticity in leg muscles can make it difficult to walk. It can affect balance and increase the risk of falling. Muscle spasticity can also increase tiredness or fatigue because it is harder to move, and you use more energy. Spasticity can result in contracture, which is when the muscles get shorter due to being kept too tight. This can result in a joint becoming fixed in one position.
