Spasticity Services & Treatments

Comprehensive, Innovative Care

Our spasticity specialists will work to evaluate your spasticity and discuss a treatment plan to manage it.

Evaluation & Diagnosis

Patients referred to our program first receive in-depth evaluations, including:

• a full medical history
• a discussion of your symptoms
• thorough physical and neurological examinations
• assessments of body function and overall health

Spasticity Treatment

Our individualized spasticity management plans focus on enhancing care, maximizing comfort, and optimizing your function. We offer a range of treatments including:

• Oral medications: Your spasticity specialist may prescribe medications individually or in combination with other therapies or medications, with the goal of balancing optimal symptom improvement and minimizing side effects. Common medications utilized include:
  • Baclofen
  • Tizanidine
  • Dantrolene sodium
  • Gabapentin
• Diagnostic/temporary nerve blocks: These are temporary injections using local anesthetics and electrical stimulation to evaluate a response to relaxing a particular muscle. These are typically done in conjunction with therapy.
• Botulinum Toxin injections: Botulinum toxin (Botox) is injected directly into the affected muscles, paralyzing the spastic muscle to prevent it from contracting. These injections typically provide approximately 12 weeks of relief from muscle tightness.
• Rehabilitative therapy: Physical and occupational therapy may be recommended to help maximize your flexibility, range of motion, coordination, and strength. Speech therapy may be recommended for patients whose spasticity affects their speech. Therapy may also evaluate you for bracing/splinting or casting for stretching and providing support to the affected limb.
• Intrathecal baclofen pump: A pump that is surgically placed in the abdomen to release a steady dose of baclofen directly into the spinal fluid. This allows for a significant reduction in spasticity with fewer side effects compared to taking baclofen orally. This treatment option has been found to be most effective in treating spasticity in the lower and upper extremities.
• Referrals for surgical intervention: Surgical treatment for spasticity may be recommended for select patients with extreme cases of spasticity.