Adult Outpatient Programs and Services Spasticity Clinic

Adult Outpatient Programs and Services

Spasticity Clinic

Spasticity is a type of muscle stiffness that is found in some patients with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis and other neurologic disorders. It results from the damage to or disruption of the central nervous system and manifests itself as involuntary resistance to the passive stretch of skeletal musculature that inhibits functional movement patterns. Spasticity can affect a person's sense of well being by reducing function, causing pain or decreasing hygiene.

At the Spasticity Clinic patients are seen by a team of rehabilitation professionals skilled in assessing and treating spasticity. The evaluation includes a physical assessment, functional assessment, psychosocial evaluation and client interview. Each team member - an occupational therapist, a physical therapist and a physician - participates in the evaluation process, later meeting with the client to discuss findings, develop goals and formulate recommendations. The team and patient then arrive at a treatment plan, which may include medications, therapies, injections or a combination of the above.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for the Spasticity Clinic, call (732) 321-7070.