Management of spasticity in children

Abstract

Spasticity in children continues to be a common and challenging problem for the foreseeable future. While reduction in the incidence of cerebral palsy would have the most impact in reducing the overall incidence of spasticity in children, prevention of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury is probably more realistic. Fixed musculoskeletal pathology in cerebral palsy is acquired during childhood. Children with cerebral palsy do not have contractures, dislocated hips or scoliosis at birth. These common deformities are acquired during childhood. There are few useful clinical measures of spasticity and none validated for use in children. The Ashworth and modified Ashworth scales are blun..