Moving Beyond Stroke is for patients and carers of those living with muscle spasticity following a stroke. We’re here to help you learn more about the condition.
Spasticity is the medical term used to describe a condition when muscles contract for longer periods of time and then go into spasm. Healthcare professionals commonly refer to this as increased muscle tone or stiffness.
People may develop spasticity as a result of a number of conditions including: following stroke, multiple sclerosis, or head or spinal cord injury.
For people who develop muscle spasticity after a stroke, this is sometimes referred to as post-stroke spasticity (PSS).
How your muscles feel and move is controlled by signals from the brain. If the part of your brain that sends these control signals is damaged by a stroke, then the muscle may become too active. High tone or activity in your muscles makes them feel stiff and tight. This is called spasticity.
Post-stroke spasticity (PSS) is estimated to occur in up to 43% of stroke patients.1 It can cause stiffness that affects joints or limbs, including ankles, knees, hips, elbows, shoulders and wrists. Over time this stiffness can change a person’s ability to walk, sit in a chair, turn over in bed or carry out their care needs, which can impact their quality of life.
PSS can occur within a week of a stroke, or it can sometimes take longer than a year for the symptoms of PSS to start to develop, which is why it is important to be aware of the signs to look out for.
If you, or the person you care for, are unsure about how post-stroke spasticity might impact movement, speak to a doctor or healthcare professional with any concerns.
This video includes the personal experience of a single patient and may not be representative of all people with post-stroke spasticity.
This video includes the personal experience of a single patient and may not be representative of all people with post-stroke spasticity.
Reference: 1. Francisco, G. E., & McGuire, J. R. (2012). Poststroke spasticity management. Stroke, 43(11), 3132-3136.
The good news is that spasticity can be managed. It is important for patients, carers, and their loved ones to be aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for. This is because early intervention, management, and support can help prevent long-term complications and can help to make living with PSS more manageable.
Backto thetop
