Stiffness VS. Spasticity??

I had PT today, and she thought that I was experiencing more stiffness than true spasticity.  She did say that I had several muscle groups that were extremely tight, and that I had hyper reflexes...along with balance issues.  My question is this...for those of you who DO have spasticity...did it start out as just stiffness, and then progess to spasticity?  Just wondering, because it seems that mine is getting worse.  Thanks!  ;)
~tj

[Lulu54]

If I'm thinking correctly,  that would be good news for you if it is just stiffness/tightness in muscle groups - a good PT program could correct that problem.  Spasticity has more fighting going on with the muscles and would not be as easy to compensate through PT.  

anyone out there who can help with this one?
Lulu

[uk2]

Hi

yes that sounds good news, stiffness is very common in fibro which you have if i'm right, stiffness can be work on, i had spasms when i went to my physio which she did try to help with i also had muscle pulling my pelvis round and twisting it.

I think with stiffness the physio will have great results.

stiffness does not cause spasicity its adnormal nerve signals that dont let the muscles rest or only rest for a short time thats how my physio explained it to me when i have my muscle spasms they can last up to 3 wees or a few days but something sets them off.

stiffness is a whole different thing its just to do with the muscles and not the nerves and can be easily worked with, so good luck with that its great news its stiffness and not spasicity.

sam

[fibrotj]

Thanks for the clarification!  ;)
~tj

[Quixotic1]

I agree with both Lulu and Sam.  Stiffness means an overall reluctance to bend - it can only be measured where something actually moves, like across a joint.  With the scope of MS, I am inclined to believe that most stiffness is actually spasticity.

Spasticity is rate-dependent.  The faster you try to move it the "stiffer" it appears.  If you bend the area slowly you can find that it bends far more than if you try the same action fast.  Like kicking up my heels (lol, as if!)  I can bring my right heel up behind me several inches if i just do it slowly.  If I try to rapidly fling/kick my heel up it moves zero inches off the floor.  Anyone with hyperactive reflexes at the knees.  Try doing this.

I wrote a Health Page called Muscle Tone and Spasticity.  It might help clarify some of this.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple%20Sclerosis/Muscle-Tone-And-Spasticity/show/159?cid=36

Early spasticity may be felt as just stiffness.  A skilled examiner should be able to tell the difference.  In MS the mildest form might be just hyperactive reflexes.  the severest form is when the spasticity causes the body to assume tight, unnatural positions.  Most of us are somewhere in between.

Quix

[truelove47]

Hi, I just wanted to tell you what happened to me,  I went to my family doc complaining
of my back hurting so bad, i could cry.He is well aware of my ms dx and agrees, but admits I am his only ms patient and not willing to treat me for ms( I respect him for telling me this)  This is why I go to the neuro.
He bent me this way and that way with nothing happening at the time,(no Pain) I felt a little embassed.
He told me to go over to the hopital and get an x-ray of my back, that maybe I had a little arthritis. I did.While on the table, getting the x-ray, the pain came  bang, bang, bang
Bottom line,,The x-ray showed I had muscle spasms so bad that they reversed my spine. I was surprised because I thought only bone showed on x-ray, not muscles..
Spasms are nasty                                                  Linda

[Quixotic1]

Hi, Glad you posted!

The x-rays show spasm because they show that the bones of the spine - which do show up - are straightened out of their normal curve or actually have the curve reversed like you.  They "assume" that this is due to muscle spasm.

Yes, spasms are nasty and likely due to your MS.

Quix

[fibrotj]

I've been told (confirmed by a number of x-rays, CT's, and MRI), that I have a reversed C-curve of the C-spine.  I also have been having severe migraines, stimmed by muscle spasms and stiffness of the neck/shoulders, for almost 10 years now...so bad that I throw up and become completely disabled...dizzy, can't see/hear, can't stand light/noise/crowds.   I'm wondering if my muscle problems could be contributing to my reversed C-curve?  Any comments?
~tj