Spasticity Management Clinic

Physical and occupational therapists provide treatment and parent education for management of spasticity, including serial casting, splinting, range-of-motion exercises, strengthening exercises, functional skills training, orthotics consultation, and therapeutic electrical stimulation. Our goal is to develop a one- to two-year plan for the management of spasticity, in collaboration with therapists, the patient and his or her family, the physician, and with other providers.

Services Include

• Evaluation
• Oral Medication Option
• Intrathecal Baclofen
• Orthotics
• Physical Therapy

Who Uses These Services

Individuals who experience spasticity due to the following conditions:

• Cerebral palsy
• Brain injury
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke

Services Explained

Evaluation

At your initial visit, a receptionist will obtain registration and confirm financial information obtained at time of referral. A nurse will guide you through an orientation and perform an initial health assessment. You will also be evaluated by a physician and a therapist who will share their impressions concerning management of your spasticity. In most cases, you will see the same team of specialists on return visits.

Oral Medication Option

A trial of oral medications, such as Baclofen, Zanaflex, Dantrium, and Valium, alone or in combination, is initiated if the stretching regime has proven to be ineffective in minimizing spasticity. Liver function tests are ordered to ensure that liver toxicity is not a problem brought on by oral medication management.

Orthotics

Orthoses may be used to support and/or brace joints to increase comfort and/or assist walking or other activity. The orthoses may also help to stretch muscles through prolonged positioning. An orthotist assists with fitting the orthoses and any ongoing adjustments that may be needed.

Physical Therapy

The goal of therapy is to help individuals with spasticity to become as functional as possible.The physical therapist evaluates passive range of motion, functional skills, strength and ability in order to provide the appropriate therapy to improve movement and mobility function. Part of the therapy may be to provide serial casting to help maintain range of motion.

Intrathecal Baclofen

The option of an intrathecal baclofen test dose may be offered to the patient and family. The test dose is administered at Mary Free Bed during a short-stay admission.The day that the test dose is administered, the physiatrist, nurse, and physical therapist are present to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication.They continually assess respiratory status, functional mobility, and spasticity. If the patient responds positively to the test dose and is in agreement to proceed with intrathecal baclofen pump placement then a referral is made to a neurosurgeon for consultation and placement. Once the pump is placed, it will be monitored on an ongoing basis for dose adjustments and refills at Mary Free Bed.

Meet the Spasticity Treatment Team

The Spasticity Clinic team works closely with each patient’s (primary care/referral) physician. Spasticity management starts out conservatively with a home exercise program, which includes stretching and range of motion exercises.

We specialize in the care of patients with spasticity. A variety of specialists are available to best meet the needs of each individual patient.

Physiatrist

• Physician specializing in physical rehabilitation medicine
• Manages the medical care and directs the rehabilitation team for each patient

Rehabilitation Nurse

• Evaluates each patient; develops and oversees nursing care plan
• Focuses on patient’s self-care, comfort, and education
• Provides ongoing intrathecal baclofen pump management under direction of rehabilitation physician; works in collaboration with MFB inpatient nursing team and rehabilitation physician for 24-hour coverage of intrathecal baclofen issues.

Orthotist

• Available for evaluation with a physician referral
• Extensive experience in orthoses use for spasticity management
• Provides expertise in customizing and fitting orthoses to help with comfort and activity

Physical Therapist

• Conducts PT consultations within clinic visits and during intrathecal baclofen test doses
• Available for outpatient therapy evaluations and treatment upon physician referral, with depth and experience in spasticity management
• Evaluates patient’s balance, flexibility, endurance, strength, and muscle function as these relate to mobility in hospital, home, school, and community environments
• Provides hands-on therapy to improve movement and mobility function
• Provides serial casting for lower extremities
• Evaluates need for equipment to manage mobility in home, school, and community environments

Occupational Therapist

• Available for outpatient therapy evaluations and treatment on physician referral, with extensive experience in spasticity management
• Evaluates and treats upper extremity movement and function, as well as areas of daily living such as eating and drinking, dressing, toileting, bathing, hygiene, and cooking
• Identifies need for special adaptive equipment to manage tasks of daily living and provides or customizes equipment to meet these needs
• Provides splinting and serial casting for upper extremities

Contact the Spasticity Clinic

For more information or to make a referral, please contact the Spasticity Clinic at:

Phone

616.242.0395 - or - 800.790.8040

Fax Referrals

616.458.4874

Download

Outpatient Referral Form