ULS (UPPER LIMB SPASCITY)

Upper limb spasticity is a condition that affects the manner in which you move your arms. In this condition, your limbs may become stiff. Now and then, your arms will jerk or move in a manner you can’t control, known as a spasm.

Spasticity occurs after your body’s nervous system has been injured by a stroke, injury or disease. It’s not dangerous, yet it very well may bring about pain  and will greatly affect your everyday life. A few activities such as getting dressed or washing become hard.

SYMPTOMS

You might not have any manifestations of upper limb spasticity until weeks, months, or even a long time after you have a stroke or brain injury. The condition can cause:

  • Stiffness of the limbmuscles
  • Muscle jerks or twitches
  • Movement problems
  • Awkward positions
  • Rotated shoulders
  • Curved elbows or wrists
  • Difficulty or pain on movement of limbs

With no treatment, your muscles can be fixed in a certain position. Stiffness can make it extremely difficult to do typical activities like dressing yourself.

If you have stiffness, spasms or tightness after you’ve had a stroke or brain injury, you should tell your physician immediately.

DIAGNOSIS

The physician will do a physical exam and test your muscle movements to perceive how well you can control your arms, elbows, wrists, and hands. He will flex your joints to perceive how nimble they are. The doctor may request that you move your arms by yourself to perceive you can control them.

Tests that may be requested include electromyography, or EMG

 

TREATMENT

The objective of treatment for upper limb spasticity is to protect your muscles from getting stiff and give you more opportunity to move your arms. It’s imperative to get treatment so you can continue moving your muscles and prevent them from getting stiffer and increasingly painful.

Your physician will prescribe treatment depending on how stiff you are and the symptoms you have. There are a few options that may work for you, which may include the following:

  • Exercisessuch as stretches
  • Braces or splints
  • OnabotulinumtoxinA and abobotulinumtoxinA
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Intrathecal baclofen therapy (ITB)
  • Nerve block injections
  • Surgery

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