When a spinal cord injury occurs, the areas in the body below the injury location can be impacted. This may include some level of paralysis, and there is usually accompanying muscle spasticity. When the voluntary control of muscles by the brain is blocked by a spinal cord injury, signals can be sent directly from the spinal cord to the muscles, causing an over-exaggerated reaction of muscle spasms and activity. Our team at Hanowell Spine Clinic in Covington, GA, offers spinal cord injury and spasticity treatment for relief.
Spasticity caused by a spinal cord injury is common. The nerve signals from the affected muscles are sent to the brain but stopped at the point of the spinal cord injury. The spinal cord can send back signals to the muscles, but the signals are not fine-tuned like those from the brain. The result is an over-reaction by the muscles, usually tightening or jerking in response. Spasticity is more common in spinal cord injuries that are not complete. Those with complete spinal cord injuries and paraplegia are less likely to have spasticity.
Treatment Options for Muscle Spasticity
Spinal cord injury and spasticity treatment depend on the location and severity of the symptoms. Common spasticity symptoms include the flexor muscle of the elbow or the extensor muscle in the leg. Patients may have rapid muscle movements or scissoring of the legs. To calm the muscle spasticity, medications may be used. Other options include Botox injections to relax muscles by blocking the nerve receptors or by using nerve ablation to block nerve signals (radiofrequency ablation or rhizotomy).
If you or a loved one has spasticity caused by a spinal cord injury, come see us at Hanowell Spine Clinic in Covington, GA. We will explore the different spinal cord injury and spasticity treatments available that can offer relief. Our clinics accept many types of health insurance, including Medicare.