This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Spasticity and contractures

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Contractures - fibrotic changes in muscles, joint capsules, and tendons secondary to a joint remaining in a fixed position - may be prevented by daily moving paralysed limbs through a complete range of movement at each joint.

Spinal reflexes gradually return in the early weeks after the stages of spinal shock. Flexor spasms or withdrawal reflexes result from slight stimuli to the lower limbs and must be discouraged since they cause the patient to spend more time with the hips and knees flexed in spasm. Daily passive movements may be effective at preventing this, but usually, antispastic drugs such as baclofen are required. Drowsiness prevents the use of high doses of diazepam and dantrolene may cause hepatotoxicity.

Rarely, surgery is indicated to relieve contractures.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.