[About the relief of severe spasticity in paraplegics (author's transl)].

The treatment of spasticity following spinal cord injuries demands a well coordinated team of neurologists, neuro-surgeons, surgeons and orthopedic surgeons. The causes of the beginnings of spasms, circumstances, by which the intensity of existing spasticity is supplementary advanced, will be described. The intensity of spasms in joints of the paralysed limbs can be improved by controlled "Passive Body Exercises" for a short time. But we have never seen relievings of spasticity by drugs. In certain cases a systematic rehabilitation takes only effect, if intractable spasticity--especially concerning the knee and hip joints--is either completely removed or at least recovered. By means of a posterior rhizotomy by Förster (posterior nerve rotts section) spasms following traumatic spinal cord lesions can be eliminated completely or at least changed for the better just depending largely upon the level of the injury to the cord.