spasticity
Pronunciation: spas-TIS-ih-tee
A motor disorder characterised by velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes, resulting in muscle stiffness and resistance to passive movement, commonly seen in geriatric patients following stroke or spinal cord injury.
Full Definition
Spasticity arises from damage to upper motor neurone pathways and is a frequent complication managed in geriatric rehabilitation, particularly in post-stroke care. It is clinically assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), which grades resistance to passive stretch from 0 (no increase in tone) to 4 (affected part rigid). Management may include physiotherapy, oral antispasmodics (e.g., baclofen), focal botulinum toxin injections, or splinting. Editors must distinguish spasticity from 'rigidity' (velocity-independent, associated with Parkinson's disease) and 'contracture' (fixed structural shortening of muscle or soft tissue). These three terms are frequently misused or interchanged in geriatric clinical manuscripts.
Usage
Usage note: Do not use 'spasticity' as a synonym for 'rigidity' or 'stiffness' without clinical specification. The adjectival form is 'spastic', though this term carries stigma in some contexts and non-pejorative alternatives ('with spasticity') may be preferred in patient-facing documents.
In Context
- "The patient's left arm spasticity was graded 2 on the Modified Ashworth Scale, indicating a more marked increase in muscle tone." — Post-stroke physiotherapy assessment
- "The author used 'spasticity' and 'rigidity' interchangeably in the Parkinson's disease section; the editor inserted a query noting the distinct clinical meanings of each term." — Geriatric medicine textbook chapter editing