What is Spasticity and Rigidity?

[ChrisUK88]

Hi allwhat is spacicity, sometimes when i walk my legs go really tense and rigid...is this spacitiy?ThanksChris

 

[LisaQ.]

No, this is NOT spasticity. Heavens, if it was, everyone over 40 would have spasticity, including me. Spasticity is characterized by increased muscle tone and exaggerated tendon jerks, it is a HYPEREXCITABILITY of the muscle. In other words, it causes abnormal MOVEMENT of the muscles, not stiffness. Blessings, Sue

 

[angusglover]

So...my fingers continually bending as the muscle contracts in my hand is spasticity? I get this a lot in my thumb and pinky etc. It is either Spasticity or a motor neurone issue....I am so worried this is ALS.....

 

[LisaQ.]

No, twitching and jerking are not spasticity either. If you've never worked with MS or spinal cord injured patients, you can't possibly grasp what spasticity looks like. Once you've seen it, you recognize it, and you certainly won't be worried about some twitching fingers. Blessings, Sue