Alter Katharine E, Gormley Mark, Patel Atul T
Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital, AT Still University, Mesa, Arizona, United States.
Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States.
PM R. 2017 Jul;9(7):738-739. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2017.06.012. Epub 2017 Jun 19.
As seen in this CME online activity (available at http://courses.elseviercme.com/spasticity/662e), treatment of patients with spasticity due to upper motor neuron syndromes, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, and cerebral palsy, is multifaceted, involving chemodenervation, systemic medications, surgical therapy, rehabilitation efforts, and home care. Optimal care begins with the recognition that each patient's impairments are unique and must be assessed carefully to determine the impact of muscle overactivity, loss of dexterity, and weakness on passive and active function in the context of the patients' goals. While botulinum toxin plays a major role in providing symptomatic relief and functional improvement from hypertonia, it should rarely be used as a standalone treatment.