Submitted to: Dr.

Huma Riaz Submitted by: Aamir Rauf Memon CMS #: 7690 Subject: Neurological Physical therapy Semester: 8th Assignment # 01 References: 1. Neuroscience at a Glance (By: Roger A.Barker) 2. Neurology (By: J.Miyasaki & C.Jaigobin)

How will you assess the power of spastic muscle???

Before we proceed further in assessing a spastic muscle, it is necessary to know what are the causes or conditions pertaining to spasticity. Spasticity is the neural component of hypertonia and is velocity dependent, which means that the faster the muscle is stretched the greater the resistance that is felt (Lance 1980). The resistance associated with spasticity not only makes movements more difficult, but causes the muscle to remain in a shortened position leading to further hypertonicity and adaptive shortening (Grossman et al. 1982; ODwyer et al. 1996). Spasticity is difficult to quantify and is not universally understood to be the same by everyone (Raine 2007). The most current definition, however, relates well to the clinical setting; spasticity is disordered sensory-motor control, resulting from an UMN lesion, presenting as intermittent or sustained involuntary activation of muscles (Pandyan et al. 2005). Therefore, UMNL & Cortical lesions are relevant to spasticity. Lets now look at the features of them: Features of UMN Lesions Normal muscle bulk (unless disuse) Increased/Spastic muscle tone Muscle fasciculations absent Pyramidal pattern weakness UE: Extensors weakest LE: Flexors weakest Increased Deep Tendon Reflexes Plantar Reflex Extensor Features of Corticospinal Lesions Clasp-knife spasticity Increased Tone Arm Flexors Leg Extensors Involuntary movements absent Increased DTRs Plantar Reflex Extensor Paralysis/Weakness absent

From the above literature we come to know that the spasticity is widely spread throughout the body; hence, muscle tone is useless to be tested here.