SPASTICITY-OTHER MUSCLE HYPERACTIVITY

SUMMARY

1. Associated reactions: volitional activation of one muscle group leads to involuntary contraction of another (eg. flexion of elbow during ambulation).

2. Co-contraction: inappropriate antagonist activity. Treated with Botox injection to the antagonists.

3. Spastic dystonia: can be triggered by stretch, is inability to relax muscle, not assoc. with hyperreflexia. Responds to Botox injection. Hyper-excitable with EMG (which helps differentiate them from spastic muscles).

Reference(s)

Cifu, D.X. (2020). Braddom’s physical medicine and rehabilitation. Elsevier. Get it on Amazon.
Cuccurullo, S. (2019). Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. New York: Demosmedical. Get it on Amazon.
O’Young, B., Young, M.A. and Stiens, S.A. (2008). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Secrets. Mosby. Get it on Amazon.