Spasticity (Cerebral Palsy)

Muscle stiffness and involuntary contractions; significant relief can be achieved with medication pump in appropriate patients.

Book an Appointment WhatsApp

H07 Topic Guide

Functional Neurosurgery

This hub page brings together 4 conditions under Functional Neurosurgery. Use it to move from overview content to the relevant disease detail pages.

Open topic guide

1Overview

Quick and clear information for patients

What is this Condition?

Spasticity is the stiffness, tightness, and involuntary contraction of muscles resulting from damage to the brain or spinal cord pathways that control movement. It most commonly occurs following cerebral palsy (a group of conditions affecting movement and posture resulting from brain damage before birth, during birth, or in early infancy), spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, head trauma, and stroke. Muscle stiffness impairs walking, dressing, hygiene, and daily activities; when prolonged, it can lead to joint stiffness, hip dislocation, spinal curvature, and pain. Treatment is not achieved with a single method but is managed by a team using physical therapy, oral muscle relaxants, regional injections, and surgical options in selected patients. Early-initiated regular physical therapy helps prevent joint stiffness and supports movement capacity.

Symptoms

Muscle stiffness and tightness, sudden involuntary contractions

Difficulty walking with tendency for legs to cross

Progressive stiffness and movement limitation in joints

Toe-walking and balance difficulties

Difficulty with hand skills, dressing, and self-care

Pain from muscle contractions and nighttime sleep disruptions

Diagnosis Methods

Diagnosis is made through neurological examination performed by the physician and evaluation of muscle tone; the degree of muscle stiffness is scored using standard scales. In children suspected of cerebral palsy, brain MRI is performed early to show structural changes in the brain. In patients with gait disturbances, gait analysis and tests showing muscle activity may be helpful; X-rays of the hip and spine may be requested. In patients considered for medication pump, a small trial dose is given to the spinal cord to observe whether muscle stiffness decreases beforehand.

Treatment Methods

Treatment is planned using a stepwise approach. The first step is physical therapy including stretching and strengthening combined with appropriate assistive devices (orthoses). If insufficient, oral muscle relaxant medications are added. For localized stiffness, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to specific muscles provide temporary relief in that area. For widespread stiffness unresponsive to medication, surgical options are considered: in selected children, a surgery targeting spinal nerve roots (selective dorsal rhizotomy) or a pump placed in the abdominal region that delivers continuous medication to the spinal canal (intrathecal baclofen pump) may be performed. The pump achieves effects with much lower doses compared to oral medication, resulting in fewer systemic side effects, and the dose can be adjusted for each patient. Orthopedic surgeries for joint stiffness may also be added to treatment.

Pump placed in the abdominal region that delivers medication to the spinal cord (intrathecal baclofen pump)

Surgery targeting nerve roots in selected children (selective dorsal rhizotomy)

Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to specific muscles

Physical therapy, orthosis use, and oral muscle relaxants

Treatment Path

Related Treatments

The procedures and interventions most commonly explored with this condition.

4 links

Baklofen pompası implantasyonu

Baklofen pompası implantasyonu procedure

Open treatment detail

Selektif dorsal rizotomi

Selektif dorsal rizotomi procedure

Open treatment detail

Selektif dorsal rizotomi, elektrofizyolojik monitörleme ile

Selektif dorsal rizotomi, elektrofizyolojik monitörleme ile procedure

Open treatment detail

DBS implantasyonu, tek taraflı

DBS implantasyonu, tek taraflı procedure

Open treatment detail

References

Greenberg MS. Handbook of Neurosurgery. 10th ed. Thieme; 2023.
Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2011.
Di Rocco C, Pang D, Rutka JT, eds. Textbook of Pediatric Neurosurgery. Springer; 2020.

This content is for informational purposes and based on academic sources; consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

Bu Sayfayı Paylaşın

Bilgilendirici içeriği sevdiklerinizle paylaşın

Looking for Another Condition?

Search among 134 neurosurgical conditions

All Disease Categories

23 categories, 134 neurosurgical conditions

🧠

Contact and Appointment

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür AKŞAN

Phone

+90 (232) 404 00 61

+90 (532) 414 35 35

[email protected]

Address

Ziya Gökalp Blv. No:28 D:1-2
35220 Konak/İzmir

Website

www.drozguraksan.com

Book Online Appointment Contact via WhatsApp

Browse Other Conditions

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür AKŞAN

Brain & Nerve Surgery

Book an appointment for detailed information and personalized treatment plan.

Book Appointment

Related Department

Functional Neurosurgery

Parkinson's, epilepsy, tremor and deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatments.

Send Your MRI Images

Get a free preliminary evaluation via EmarYolla.com.

Send MRI →

Our Services

Comprehensive Neurosurgery Services - A·B·C·H

Academy

BVSpedia

"Making medical knowledge free, open and accessible to everyone"

Departments

Specialty Areas

Main departments:

See All 16 Departments

Treatments

Surgical Techniques

Popular Surgeries:

See All Surgeries

Diseases

134 Neurosurgical

Most Searched:

See All 134 Diseases

What kind of help do you need?

Book Appointment Frequently Asked Questions

Functional Neurosurgery - Other Conditions

Parkinson's Disease Epilepsy Tremor Dystonia Trigeminal Neuralgia Spasticity (Cerebral Palsy - Intrathecal Baclofen Pump)Hemifacial Spasm (Half-Face Spasm)Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia (Pharyngeal-Lingual Nerve Pain)

🏠Home 📋All Conditions 🏥Functional Neurosurgery 📞Contact

Need help?

Book an appointment for expert evaluation.

Book Appointment Contact via WhatsApp

← Back to All Conditions Functional Neurosurgery View Page →

Spasticity (Cerebral Palsy)

Functional Neurosurgery

1Overview

What is this Condition?

Symptoms

Diagnosis Methods

Treatment Methods

Related Treatments

Baklofen pompası implantasyonu

Selektif dorsal rizotomi

Selektif dorsal rizotomi, elektrofizyolojik monitörleme ile

DBS implantasyonu, tek taraflı

References

Bu Sayfayı Paylaşın

Looking for Another Condition?

All Disease Categories

Brain Tumors

Spine Surgery

Vascular

Pediatric

Functional

Trauma

Pain Treatment

See All

Contact and Appointment

Browse Other Conditions

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür AKŞAN

Related Department

Functional Neurosurgery

Send Your MRI Images

Our Services

Academy

Departments

Treatments

Diseases

YOU ARE HERE

Functional Neurosurgery - Other Conditions

Need help?

Related Treatments

Baklofen pompası implantasyonu

Selektif dorsal rizotomi

Selektif dorsal rizotomi, elektrofizyolojik monitörleme ile

DBS implantasyonu, tek taraflı

Bu Sayfayı Paylaşın