Spasticity management (intrathecial baclofen maintenance)

Spasticity management is designed for adults or children who experience spasticity (involuntary muscle stiffness) as a result of neurological injury or disease. This excessive muscle tone can interfere with a person’s ability to function or make caregiving difficult. By intervening to reduce spasticity, patients can achieve efficiency and quality of movement, plus pain reduction.

About our program

After evaluation by a physiatrist, and a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, appropriate treatment methods are selected. The decision is based on the type and severity of the spasticity, patients’ underlying strengths and current levels of function, and expected outcomes. Patients may be able to try different approaches to find one that works best for them.

Treatment options

• Oral medications. Multiple medication options exist to manage milder forms of spasticity. This often is a starting point for spasticity management.
• Injections. This is effective when spasticity is limited to certain muscle groups. The muscles are injected with botulinum toxin or phenol, which prevents them from contracting. Repeated injections are often necessary, since reduced muscle tone is temporary, typically lasting three months.
• Intrathecal baclofen pump. This surgically implanted pump delivers a preprogrammed amount of antispasticity medication directly to the space surrounding the spinal cord where baclofen works. Screening for appropriateness of the baclofen pump requires a test dose injection, the effects of which last up to eight hours. During this time, patients are monitored by nurses and undergo multiple examinations by a physical therapist and physiatrist to assess the impact on muscle tone. This time also allows patients to decide whether they wish to proceed with pump implantation. Baclofen pump placements are performed by a trained surgeon and require a hospital stay. (For more information about the device, visit Medtronic’s Web site.)

After the treatment option has been selected and performed, patients work with physical and occupational therapists to strengthen, stretch and re-educate their muscles to help with more normal movement patterns. For dependent patients, caregivers can be taught range of motion techniques, which eases caregiving tasks such as bathing, dressing and moving from bed to a chair.

Locations

View Park Nicollet locations that provide this service.

Contact us

General information, scheduling: 952-993-5900