What is the mechanism of spasticity?

Spasticity, a classical clinical manifestation of an upper motor neuron lesion, has been traditionally and physiologically defined as a velocity dependent increase in muscle tone caused by the increased excitability of the muscle stretch reflex.

Is spasticity the same as rigidity?

Whereas spasticity arises as a result of damage to the corticoreticulospinal (pyramidal) tracts, rigidity is caused by dysfunction of extrapyramidal pathways, most commonly the basal ganglia, but also as a result of lesions of the mesencephalon and spinal cord.

What is muscle spasticity and rigidity?

Spasticity is stiff or rigid muscles. It may also be called unusual tightness or increased muscle tone. Reflexes (for example, a knee-jerk reflex) are stronger or exaggerated. The condition can interfere with walking, movement, speech, and many other activities of daily living.

Is spasticity the same as hypertonia?

Spasticity is a term that is often used interchangeably with hypertonia. Spasticity, however, is a particular type of hypertonia in which the muscles’ spasms are increased by movement. In this type, patients usually have exaggerated reflex responses.

What does spasticity mean?

Spasticity is a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle, which might interfere with movement, speech, or be associated with discomfort or pain. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to nerve pathways within the brain or spinal cord that control muscle movement.

What is the pathophysiology of muscle spasticity?

Spasticity is a stretch reflex disorder, manifested clinically as an increase in muscle tone that becomes more apparent with more rapid stretching movement. It is a common consequence of lesions that damage upper motor neurons causing upper motor neuron syndrome (UMNS).

What is a synonym for spastic?

herky-jerky. hit-or-miss. impulsive. inconstant. intermittent.

What is rigidity medical term?

Definition. Rigidity is a hypertonic state characterized by constant resistance throughout range of motion that is independent of the velocity of movement. It is the result of excessive supraspinal drive (upper motor neuron facilitation) acting on alpha motor neurons; spinal reflex mechanisms are typically normal.

What is muscle rigidity?

Muscle rigidity, also known as muscle tension, rigor, or stiffness, is one of the most common causes of muscle pain. It’s characterized by the inability of the muscles to relax normally. The condition can affect any of the muscles in the body, causing sharp pain that makes it difficult to move.

What is hypertonia and dystonia?

Hypertonia due to an extra pyramidal brain lesion is known as dystonia and presents as involuntary intermittent muscle contractions that cause twisting or repetitive movements of abnormal postures. Hypertonia where a pyramidal brain lesion exists presents as muscle spasticity.

What is the difference between rigidity and dystonia?

Like spasticity and dystonia, rigidity may be dependent on the state of the child. Unlike dystonia, rigidity is not specific to particular tasks or postures. In adults with Parkinson’s disease, rigidity may result from baseline muscle contraction, hyperactive long-latency stretch reflexes, or both.

What causes muscle rigidity?

Muscle stiffness typically occurs after exercise, hard physical work, or lifting weights. You may also feel stiffness after periods of inactivity, like when you get out of bed in the morning or get out of a chair after sitting for a long time. Sprains and strains are the most common reasons for muscle stiffness.

What is the opposite of spasticity?

Muscle Tone Hypertonia is resistance to passive movement, it is not dependent on velocity, can be with or without spasticity. Spasticity is an increase in resistance to sudden , passive movement and IS velocity dependent.

What is rigidity synonym?

In this page you can discover 37 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for rigidity, like: inflexibility, implacableness, incompliancy, inexorability, inexorableness, intransigency, obduracy, obdurateness, relentlessness, remorselessness and rigidness.

What is a spasticity?

What is spasticity mean?

Definition. Spasticity is a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle, which might interfere with movement, speech, or be associated with discomfort or pain. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to nerve pathways within the brain or spinal cord that control muscle movement …

What does rigidity mean in medical terms?

Is dystonia the same as spasticity?

Spasticity is clinically defined by velocity-dependent hypertonia and tendon jerk hyperreflexia due to the hyper-excitability of the stretch reflex. Spastic dystonia is the inability to relax a muscle leading to a spontaneous tonic contraction.

Is spasticity the same as dystonia?

What is the meaning of rigidity?

: the quality or state of being rigid: as. a : abnormal stiffness of muscle muscle rigidity symptomatic of Parkinson’s disease— Diane Gershon. b : emotional inflexibility and resistance to change.

What is the difference between rigidity and spasticity?

Spasticity is a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle. Rigidity is a hypertonic state characterized by constant resistance throughout range of motion . Incresed muscles tone due to damage to pyramidal tracts.

What is spasticity and what causes spasticity?

Spasticity: Caused by lesions in the pyramidal tract (i.e. upper motor neurons) such the corticospinal tract Stroke Weakness present More resistance in one direction the other direction More tone in initial part of movement – “Clasp knife spasticity” It is velocity dependent (i.e. more noticeable with fast movements)

What is the definition of rigidity in physical therapy?

Rigidity is bi-directional, meaning that one may experience resistance to movements regardless of which direction the joint and muscles are moving in. Muscles that have rigidity feel heavy and like “a lead pipe” when they are moved passively.

What are the two main types of rigidity in muscles?

The two main types of rigidity are the “Cogwheel rigidity” and “Lead pipe rigidity”. The “Cogwheel rigidity” results in an intermittent increase in muscle tone. It also occurs due to the coexistence of basal ganglia diseases and tremor diseases.