Pathophysiology of spasticity and therapeutic approach

Abstract

It is well known that with a delay a lesion of the central nervous system (CNS) involving senso-motor networks in the brain or cervical or thoracic spinal cord will lead to an Upper Motor Neuron Syndrome (UMNS) caudal of the lesion. Clinically UMNS could be detected by increased resistance against passive movement during rest position (defined by Lance [22]), enhanced tendon reflexes [12, 28, 38], pyramidal signs and flexor-reflexes [12, 28], Co-contraction [12, 38], spastic dystonia [12, 38], and result in disturbed posture, slowed motor performance with decreased dexterity and coordination difficulties named spastic movement disorder (SMD, [13]).