When you meet with your health care team to make a treatment plan for your spasticity, they’ll need certain information to get started. Here’s a look at what your doctor may ask and why this information matters:
When did the spasticity start? Some of the causes of spasticity, such as cerebral palsy, happen at birth. Others, such as stroke or brain damage, can happen later in life. Your doctor will want to know when the symptoms started as a way to help pinpoint the cause of the muscle contractions.
How long does it last? Sometimes seizures can look like spasticity. Your doctor will want to see if you have any patterns, such as mood or behavior changes after an episode, that could be signs you’re having seizures instead of spasticity.
How severe is it? The severity of your condition depends on how much your symptoms affect your life. Doctors use specific scales to help rank the severity of the spasms, so they have a starting point for treatment options. Some scales rank you on how hard you can push against resistance. Others test your range of motion and how hard your muscles contract.
What kinds of movements do you typically have? Your doctor will want to know which muscles your spasticity affects. You may have posture issues, or you may carry your shoulders, arms, and hands at an abnormal angle. Some spasticity causes jerky or repetitive motions.
Your treatment will depend on which part of your body needs attention. Some treatments, such as muscle relaxants, relax large groups of muscles in your body like those in your arms and legs. Other treatments, such as botulinum toxin shots, target more specific muscles to relax them. If your doctor knows where your symptoms are worst, they can tailor your treatments to that area.
What makes it worse? Your doctor will want to understand your triggers. Common culprits include extreme temperatures, infection, stretching, bowel problems, and skin problems. Once you’ve pinpointed which ones trigger you, your doctor can help you manage or avoid certain triggers altogether.
Do you have a family history of similar symptoms? Some of the causes of spasticity are genetic, so your family medical history gives your doctor a better overall picture of what could be happening with you.
Questions for Your Doctor
You’ll certainly have plenty of your own questions about your condition, too. It’s a good idea to come prepared with questions written down prior to your appointment. You might want to ask:
What’s the best treatment for me? Many treatment options are available, from therapy to medication and surgery. The best one for you will depend on your severity and what you’ve already tried.
What is the goal of my treatment? Treatment may not completely eliminate spasticity. It’s a good idea to know what you can expect of your treatment and how you’ll know when you’ve achieved it.
How much better can I expect my spasticity to get? Your doctor can go over how much improvement you can expect to see based on the cause of your spasticity and the treatment you choose.
Do I need to see a specialist? Because spasticity has many different causes, you may need to see a doctor with expertise in your specific diagnosis and the treatment for it.
What are some signs my spasticity might be getting worse? You’ll want to know what to watch for as you try to identify triggers so your doctor can better understand how your treatment is -- or isn’t -- working.
Show Sources
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SOURCES:
Wake Forest Baptist Health: “Spasticity.”
Medscape: “Spasticity Differential Diagnoses.”
Brain Injury: “Spasticity after stroke: Physiology, assessment and treatment.”
American Association of Neurological Surgeons: “Spasticity.”
MS Trust: “Spasticity Triggers.”
Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center: “Spasticity.”
MS Society: “Understanding Spasms and Stiffness.”