What is spasticity?
Spasticity is a neurological movement disorder that causes muscles to feel tight or stiff, which can make it hard to move or control certain parts of your body. It happens when there’s a problem with the signals between your brain, spinal cord and muscles.
Spasticity is a common symptom in people with certain neurological conditions, such as:
- Cerebral palsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Stroke
- Brain or spinal cord injury
Normally, your muscles work together so that when one tightens, the other relaxes. But when the brain or spinal cord is damaged, this system doesn’t work the way it should. Instead, many muscles can tighten all at once, which can make movement feel jerky, stiff or hard to control.
Spasticity vs. rigidity
Spasticity and rigidity both cause muscle stiffness, but they feel and act differently. Knowing the difference can help you explain your symptoms and get the right care.
Spasticity happens when nerves in the brain or spinal cord are damaged. This makes muscles tighten more when you move them faster or stretch them more. You might notice your muscles suddenly jerk or spasm. Spasticity is common with conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury.
Rigidity is steady muscle stiffness that doesn’t change with movement. The muscles feel tight all the time, no matter how slowly or quickly you move. It usually affects both sides of the body and is linked to conditions like Parkinson’s disease. Rigidity doesn’t cause jerking or spasms like spasticity does.
Both can make moving and doing everyday tasks harder. If you have muscle stiffness or tightness, talk with your doctor. They can find out what’s causing it and help you manage your symptoms.
Spasticity symptoms
Symptoms of spasticity can affect people in very different ways. Some may feel mild tightness in their muscles, while others may have extremely painful spasms that prevent them from doing their regular activities. In some cases, joints can become frozen in an abnormal position, a condition called contracture. Stiffness can cause certain movements to be more difficult.
In addition to stiffness and muscle spasms, symptoms of spasticity include:
- Increased muscle tone (hypertonia)
- Involuntary crossing of the legs
- Irregular posture
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle fatigue
- Pain and discomfort
- Changes in the shape or alignment of muscles, joints or bones
- Disrupted sleep due to muscle tightness or spasms
When to see a doctor
See your primary care provider right away if you experience spasticity with no known cause. It could be a sign of a serious problem, such as brain or spinal cord damage. You should also see your doctor if you have been previously diagnosed with spasticity and the condition is getting worse or making it difficult to do everyday activities.
What causes spasticity?
Spasticity happens when there’s damage to the parts of the brain or spinal cord that help control muscle movement and reflexes. This damage can affect how signals travel between the brain and muscles, causing muscles to tighten or contract without your control.
It’s usually a symptom of another condition. Spasticity can develop as a result of:
- A spinal cord injury
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Cerebral palsy
- Stroke
- A brain injury
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Hereditary spastic paraplegias
- Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Krabbe disease
Complications of spasticity
Depending on the severity of the condition, untreated spasticity can lead to a number of complications. Severe spasticity can be extremely painful and limit your ability to perform daily activities. When you are unable to move and restricted to a chair or bed, you may develop bedsores, which can be very painful and become infected.
Additional complications include:
- Contractures: Muscles that contract and remain stiff can lead to frozen joints.
- Bladder and urinary problems: Chronic constipation and urinary tract infections can occur with spasticity.
- Bone fractures and joint dislocation: Spasticity can make movement difficult and make bone fractures or dislocated joints more likely to happen.
- Poor sleep: Muscle tightness or spasms can prevent you from falling or staying asleep.
How is spasticity diagnosed
If you’re experiencing muscle stiffness, spasms or trouble moving, your doctor may check for spasticity. Since spasticity is usually caused by another health condition, a full evaluation is important to understand the cause and how to treat it.
Diagnosing spasticity often involves reviewing your symptoms, checking your muscle function and using tests to look for signs of nerve or brain injury.
Medical history and exam
Your doctor will start by asking questions about your symptoms, including when they started, how they’ve changed and how they affect your daily life. They’ll also want to know about any past injuries, illnesses or neurological conditions that could be related to them. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’ve had a stroke, head injury or a recent diagnosis like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy.
Physical and neurological exam
Your doctor will perform a physical and neurological exam to check how well your muscles and nerves are working. This includes:
- Muscle tone and stiffness: Your doctor may gently move your arms and legs to see how easily they move and if the muscles resist. Stiffness or tightness may be a sign of spasticity.
- Reflex testing: Reflexes may be faster or more pronounced in people with spasticity. Your doctor will test for exaggerated reflex responses, such as a sudden jerk or twitch when your muscles are tapped.
- Muscle strength and coordination: You may be asked to perform simple movements to see how well your muscles respond and whether you have trouble with coordination or balance.
- Range of motion: Limited ability to stretch or bend your limbs can also help confirm spasticity.
These tests help your doctor determine how severe the spasticity is, where it's occurring and how it’s affecting your function and movement. They also help rule out other conditions that might be causing similar symptoms.
Imaging tests
If your doctor suspects an underlying problem in your brain or spinal cord, they may order imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan. These can show injuries, inflammation or structural changes that could be disrupting nerve signals and leading to spasticity. Imaging helps confirm the diagnosis and is often key to understanding the cause and planning treatment.
Spasticity treatment
Treating spasticity depends on what's causing it and how much it affects your daily life. Some people may only need mild interventions like stretching or physical therapy, while others may require a combination of therapies, medications or even surgery to help manage muscle stiffness and spasms.
With the right combination of treatments, many people with spasticity can improve their comfort, mobility and quality of life. Your doctor will help you create a care plan that meets your goals and adapts as your needs change.
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Medication
Doctors may prescribe medication if spasticity interferes with sleep, mobility or quality of life. While medications can be effective, they may also cause side effects like drowsiness or muscle weakness, so your doctor will work closely with you to find the right balance.
Common medications include:
- Baclofen: This muscle relaxant helps calm nerves in the spinal cord and reduces the frequency and intensity of muscle spasms, especially those caused by spinal cord injuries or multiple sclerosis.
- Benzodiazepines: These medications work by slowing activity in the central nervous system to relieve muscle spasms and promote relaxation.
- Dantrolene: This medication acts directly on the muscles to reduce cramping, stiffness and tightness linked to neurological conditions.
- Gabapentin: Often used to treat nerve pain, gabapentin also helps calm overactive nerves that can trigger muscle spasms.
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Injections
If spasticity is more severe or affects specific muscle groups, your doctor may recommend injections to provide targeted relief.
- Botulinum toxin: Botulinum toxin injections temporarily block the nerve signals that cause muscles to contract. This can reduce spasticity in a specific area, such as the arms or legs, and improve comfort and mobility. The effects typically last a few months.
- Phenol injections: Phenol is injected directly into the nerves or muscles to interrupt the signals that cause spasticity. Like botulinum toxin injections, this option is often used for focused symptom relief.
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Therapy
Therapies are an important part of spasticity treatment. They help you maintain flexibility, improve function and prevent complications like joint stiffness or contractures. Your care team may include several types of therapists, depending on your needs.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist will guide you through stretching, strengthening and range-of-motion exercises. These exercises help improve muscle function and reduce stiffness. Bracing, casting or splints may also be used to support joints and prevent long-term tightness.
- Occupational therapy: This therapy focuses on daily living skills like dressing, eating and grooming. An occupational therapist may suggest assistive devices, techniques to improve hand and arm use, or tips to make daily activities easier.
- Speech therapy: If spasticity affects the muscles used for speaking or swallowing, a speech therapist can help. They offer exercises and strategies to improve communication and reduce the risk of choking or aspiration.
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Surgery
If your spasticity is severe and other treatments don’t provide relief, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure.
Options include:
- Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy: In this procedure, a small pump is surgically placed under the skin in the abdomen. It delivers a steady dose of baclofen directly into the fluid around the spinal cord. This method provides powerful, targeted relief with fewer side effects than oral medications.
- Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR): This procedure is mostly used for people with severe leg spasticity, especially in children with cerebral palsy. The surgeon cuts select nerve roots in the spinal cord that are causing the muscles to overreact. This can significantly reduce stiffness and improve walking ability.
Find specialized care for spasticity
At Baylor Scott & White, we offer several locations for specialized care and treatment of spasticity, including neurology centers across North and Central Texas. Our experienced team is ready to provide personalized care to help improve your quality of life. Whether you're seeking a definitive diagnosis, looking for treatment options or require ongoing support, we're by your side.
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Rehabilitation - Rowlett
6800 Scenic Dr Tower 1, Ste 307, Rowlett, TX, 75088
- Monday: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin Circle C
5000 W Slaughter Ln Building 6, Ste 100, Austin, TX, 78749
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Cedar Park
910 E Whitestone Blvd , Cedar Park, TX, 78613
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Leander
1007 US Hwy 183 , Leander, TX, 78641
- Monday: 7:45 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:45 am - 5:00 am
- Wednesday: 7:45 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:45 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:45 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 7:50 am - 3:30 pm
- Tuesday: 7:50 am - 3:30 pm
- Wednesday: 7:50 am - 3:30 pm
- Thursday: 7:50 am - 3:30 pm
- Friday: 7:50 am - 3:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Round Rock 300 University
300A University Blvd , Round Rock, TX, 78665
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Temple
2401 S 31st St , Temple, TX, 76508
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Westlake
1001 Westbank Dr , West Lake Hills, TX, 78746
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Continuing Care Hospital - Temple
546 N Kegley Rd , Temple, TX, 76502
Baylor Scott & White Heart and Wellness Center - Irving
2001 N MacArthur Blvd Bldg I, Ste 140, Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Addison
4135 Belt Line Rd Ste 122, Addison, TX, 75001
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Aledo
250 Bailey Ranch Rd Ste 200, Aledo, TX, 76008
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Angus Road
11623 Angus Rd Ste 18, Austin, TX, 78759
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Arlington
5001 S Cooper St Ste 109, Arlington, TX, 76017
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Arlington The Parks
800 W Arbrook Blvd Ste 200, Arlington, TX, 76015
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Austin Onion Creek
11215 IH-35 Ste 102, Austin, TX, 78747
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Avery Ranch
15004 Avery Ranch Blvd Bldg C, Ste 101, Austin, TX, 78717
- Monday: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:15 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Bee Caves
2765 Bee Caves Rd Ste 209, Austin, TX, 78746
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Buda
640 Old San Antonio Rd Ste 2, Buda, TX, 78610
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Burleson
12500 South Fwy Ste 201, Burleson, TX, 76028
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Carrollton Frankford
1933 E Frankford Rd Ste 110, Carrollton, TX, 75007
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Carrollton Sandy Lake
1850 Legends Trl , Carrollton, TX, 75006
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Cedar Park East
701 East Whitestone Blvd Ste 100, Cedar Park, TX, 78613
- Monday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Cedar Park West
500 W Whitestone Blvd Ste 101, Cedar Park, TX, 78613
- Monday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Coppell
651 N Denton Tap Rd Ste 120, Coppell, TX, 75019
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas
909 N Washington Ave , Dallas, TX, 75246
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas Camp Wisdom
3107 W Camp Wisdom Rd Ste 131, Dallas, TX, 75237
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas Carroll Ave
1015 N Carroll Ave Ste 100, Dallas, TX, 75204
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas Central
11617 N Central Expy Ste 140, Dallas, TX, 75243
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas Kessler Park
222 E Colorado Blvd , Dallas, TX, 75203
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas Lake Highlands
6243 Retail Rd Ste 600, Dallas, TX, 75231
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas N. Washington Ave
411 N Washington Ave Ste 3900, Dallas, TX, 75246
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas Preston Hollow
4347 W Northwest Hwy Ste 180, Dallas, TX, 75220
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas Sammons Cancer Center
3410 Worth St Ste 800, Dallas, TX, 75246
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas Specialty Clinic
411 N Washington Ave Ste 5000, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Far West
6818 Austin Center Blvd Ste 111, Austin, TX, 78731
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Farmers Branch
13000 Josey Ln Ste 150, Farmers Branch, TX, 75234
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Flower Mound
1901 Long Prairie Rd Ste 130, Flower Mound, TX, 75022
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Fort Worth
6601 Harris Pkwy , Fort Worth, TX, 76132
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Fort Worth Camp Bowie
3621 Camp Bowie Blvd , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Fort Worth Day Neuro
6601 Harris Pkwy , Fort Worth, TX, 76132
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Fort Worth Eastchase
8651 John T White Rd Ste 121, Fort Worth, TX, 76120
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Fort Worth Fossil Creek
5411 Basswood Blvd Ste 225, Fort Worth, TX, 76137
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Frisco - Day Neuro
2990 Legacy Dr , Frisco, TX, 75034
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Frisco Coit
5375 Coit Rd Ste 110, Frisco, TX, 75035
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Frisco Main
5858 Main St Ste 160, Frisco, TX, 75033
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Frisco Stonebrook
8204 Stonebrook Pkwy , Frisco, TX, 75034
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Ft Worth Bryant Irvin
4901 Bryant Irving Rd N Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76107
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Garland Firewheel
4430 Lavon Dr Ste 340, Garland, TX, 75040
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Garland Shiloh
333 N Shiloh Rd Ste 108, Garland, TX, 75042
Frequently asked questions
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How long does spasticity last after a stroke?
Spasticity after a stroke often starts within days to months and may peak in the first one to three months. It can improve over time but may persist without treatment. Left unmanaged, it can cause lasting muscle and joint problems, but treatment can help reduce symptoms and improve movement.
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Does spasticity ever go away?
Spasticity usually doesn’t go away on its own. While no cure exists, treatments like medication, therapy and sometimes surgery can help manage symptoms. It may improve after a stroke, but with conditions like cerebral palsy, spasticity often remains. Early treatment helps prevent complications and improve quality of life.
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Can anxiety cause spasticity?
Anxiety doesn’t cause spasticity, but it can make muscle stiffness or twitching feel worse. Stress and tension from anxiety can lead to tight or jumpy muscles. Treating anxiety may help you feel more comfortable, especially if you already have a condition that affects your muscles or nerves.
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Can spasticity be reversed?
Spasticity often can't be fully reversed, but some people may improve over time if the cause is something that can heal. Even if it doesn’t go away, treatments like therapy, medication or surgery can help reduce symptoms and make it easier to move and feel more comfortable.
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Does spasticity come and go
Yes, spasticity can come and go. It may change during the day or get worse with things like infections or activity. Sometimes symptoms improve, other times they get worse. While there’s no cure, treatments like medicine and therapy can help you manage symptoms and feel better day to day.