Clearwater, FL - (727) 462-5582
Beverly Hills, CA - (310) 975-7033

Post Stroke Spasticity

Clearwater, Tampa, St Petersburg, Florida

Post stroke spasticity is a disorder of the nervous system resulting from an injury to the brain caused by a stroke. It is a frequent complication after a stroke, seen in about 35 percent of stroke victims. The disorder affects muscles.

A muscle fiber contracts when it receives an impulse from the adjoined nerve. Injury to the brain caused by a stroke can cause nerves to send constant impulses to the muscle, throwing the muscle into spasm. In addition to stroke, debilitating muscle spasms also occur with other conditions such as cerebral palsy, and traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.

Symptoms of Post Stroke Spasticity:

  • Excess muscle activity
  • Muscle tightness
  • Disfiguring muscle contractions

A tight, stiff limb often results when the muscles that affect the limb become spastic after a stroke. If the injury results in affliction of the arm, the muscles affecting the arm assume a tightened, flexed position, and resist movement out of this position. Obviously, problems occur because of this. If the arm remains flexed at the wrist, elbow and shoulder, simple skills such as dressing and bathing become difficult.

As the body tries to compensation for the affected limb, painful posture problems can develop, due to stress on other joints of the body. These new problems need treatment, in addition to treating the spastic limb. Eliminating or reducing the post stroke spasticity in the affected limb will improve these problems.

Treatment for Post Stroke Spasticity

Treatment for post stroke spasticity can include physcial therapy and medications.

Physical therapy focuses on keeping the limb moving, which will reduce the muscles’ tendencies to remain over tightened. Failure to maintain range of motion in a joint will lead to contractures, where the joint and tissues will lock up, compounding problems.

Medications can also be used in the treatment of spasticity. Baclofen and Valium are two such prescribed medications that work on spastic areas.

Botox for the treatment of post stroke spasticity is one fairly new, and quite successful, therapy.

Botox for the treatment of post stroke spasticity works by interrupting the signal from a nerve telling a muscle to contract. By injecting Botox at the motor point in a muscle fiber, the impulse to contract or tighten up is shut off. The muscle can now relax without the constant bombardment of “contract” signals coming from a brain injured by a stroke. If used, the effects of Botox may take up to three weeks to be fully realized, and the results may last up to three months.

If you continue to suffer with post stroke spasticity and your current treatment plan leaves you wanting more options, perhaps a fresh set of experienced eyes can change your outlook. Since 1990, Dennis M. Lox, M.D has applied his personal interests in sports medicine, cutting-edge regenerative medicine and chronic pain management to helping patients increase their quality of life. Contact us for an appointment at 727-462-5582 .

Dennis M. Lox, MD, and the Florida Spine Center serve patients within the greater Tampa Bay area, including Clearwater, Tampa and St. Petersburg, as well as all of Florida and the US.

All statements, information or opinions provided by this website are provided for educational purposes only. We do not diagnose nor treat through this website or by telephone. As you consider any treatment, discuss them with your physician.

What is Post Stroke Spasticity?

Post stroke spasticity is a disorder of the nervous system resulting from an injury to the brain caused by a stroke. It is a frequent complication after a stroke, seen in about 35 percent of stroke victims. The disorder affects muscles. A muscle fiber contracts when it receives an impulse from the adjoined nerve. Injury to the brain caused by the stroke can cause nerves to send constant impulses to the muscle, throwing the muscle into spasm. In addition to stroke, debilitating muscle spasms also occur in other conditions such as cerebral palsy, and traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.

Symptoms of Post Stroke Spasticity

Symptoms of Post Stroke Spasticity include:

– Excess muscle activity
– Muscle tightness
– Disfiguring muscle contractions

A tight, stiff limb often results when the muscles that affect the limb become spastic after a stroke. If the injury results in affliction of the arm, the muscles affecting the arm assume a tightened flexed position, and resist movement out of this position. Obviously, problems occur because of this. If the arm remains flexed at the wrist, elbow and shoulder, simple skills such as dressing and bathing become difficult.

As the body tries to compensation for the affected limb, painful posture problems can develop, due to stress on other joints of the body. These new problems need treatment, in addition to treating the spastic limb. Eliminating or reducing the post stroke spasticity in the affected limb will improve these problems.

Treatment for Post Stroke Spasticity

 Treatment for post stroke spasticity can include physical therapy and medications.

Physical therapy focuses on keeping the limb moving, which will reduce the muscles’ tendencies to remain over tightened. Failure to maintain range of motion in a joint will lead to contractures, where the joint and tissues will actually freeze up, compounding problems.

Medications can also be used in the treatment of spasticity. Baclofen and Valium are two such prescribed medications that work on spastic areas.

One fairly new, and quite successful, therapy for the treatment of post stroke spasticity is the use of Botox.

Botox works by interrupting the signal from a nerve telling a muscle to contract. By injecting Botox at the motor point in a muscle fiber, the impulse to contract or tighten up is shut off, and the muscle can then relax without the constant bombardment of “contract” signals coming in from the brain injured by a stroke.

If used, the effects of Botox may take up to three weeks to be fully realized, and the results may last up to three months.

If you continue to suffer with chronic pain and your current treatment plan leaves you feeling hopeless, perhaps a fresh set of experienced eyes can change your outlook. Since 1990, Dennis M. Lox, M.D has been helping patients in the Tampa Bay area increase their quality of life by reducing their pain. Contact us for an appointment at 727-462-5582.

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If you haven't found joint relief should schedule a personal consultation with Dennis M. Lox, M.D., to learn if you are able to get joint relief without the need for invasive surgery.

Stem Cell Therapy in Clearwater, FL and Beverly Hills, CA

Dr. Lox treats the Tampa Bay Metro Area including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa , Pinellas Park, Palm Harbor, Orlando and Sarasota as well as the Los Angeles Metro Area including Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.

Call our office in Clearwater, FL or Beverly Hills, CA to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dennis Lox.

Clearwater, Florida Office

2030 Drew St.
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 462-5582

Beverly Hills, California Office

450 N Roxbury Dr. #602
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 975-7033

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