About Spasticity | Understanding Spasticity

WHAT IS
SPASTICITY?

About Spasticity | Understanding Spasticity

WHAT IS
SPASTICITY?

Are you experiencing increased
stiffness in your legs or arms?

The stiff muscles. The bent elbow or curled toes. The clenched fist or rigid ankle. Perhaps you have tried to find treatment but still haven’t found one that works for you. Or other health problems have kept you from getting help. Don’t give up.

Causes of
Spasticity

Spasticity may develop after an injury to the brain or spinal cord or may be due to a neurological disorder. Disruptions of the messages between the brain and certain muscles cause muscles to tighten and become rigid. Learn more about specific conditions that can cause Spasticity below.

Stroke

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Spinal cord injury (SCI)

Cerebral palsy (CP)

A stroke can damage small parts of the brain, resulting in speech and/or vision problems as well as movement problems such as paralysis. Additionally, Spasticity may develop weeks or even months after a stroke.

In MS, the cover of the nerve cell fibers in the brain and spinal cord—called the myelin sheath—gradually wears away, resulting in loss of movement and Spasticity. Symptoms of MS can worsen and improve in cycles.

Many people experience symptoms of Spasticity shortly after traumatic brain injury.

Many people experience symptoms of Spasticity shortly after TBI.

Spasticity is common after trauma to the spinal cord.

After SCI, the nerve cells that control muscle activity can no longer receive signals from the brain. As a result, Spasticity is common after trauma to the spinal cord.

Those who suffer from CP may suffer from Spasticity.

The symptoms of CP appear in childhood and can persist into adulthood, affecting movement and coordination. It is not the result of damaged muscles or nerves, but rather problems in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement. As with a stroke, the damaged part of the brain can also cause stiffness in the limbs that is associated with Spasticity. Click here to learn more about Spasticity in children.

Spasticity is unpredictable

Watch for the signs

Spasticity can start affecting you within weeks or months of when one of these events or conditions occurs, or it may not become apparent until years later.

TREAT WITH BOTOX^®

Understanding common signs of Spasticity

Spasticity can result in muscle stiffness of your elbow, wrist, fingers, thumb, ankle, or toes. Only your doctor or specialist can make a diagnosis, but this information may help you get closer to the answers you need to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

Flexed Elbow

Bent Wrist

Thumb-in-palm

Clenched fist

Dropped or Turned-in Foot

Curled Toes

If you recognize any of these symptoms, don't wait. Talk with your doctor with the help of this educational brochure right away, and find a BOTOX^® specialist near you.

Find a BOTOX^® Specialist

Finding a doctor who specializes in Spasticity is key and could be an important step in managing your treatment.

Results Found

Please note: Although we update our directory regularly, this list may not have current provider information. This list is compiled by AbbVie and includes physicians known to have experience with BOTOX^® in the past 5 years. The results shown may not be inclusive of all physicians who may have experience with BOTOX^® or therapies like BOTOX^® in your area. Please see the Terms & Conditions for additional details.

About BOTOX^®Learn about treatment

Identifying SpasticityHow Spasticity is diagnosed

WHAT IS
SPASTICITY?

WHAT IS
SPASTICITY?

Are you experiencing increased
stiffness in your legs or arms?