Treatment Options for Severe Spasticity Due to Spinal Cord Injury or Disease

There is currently no cure for severe spasticity. However, there are a number of options available for managing your symptoms.

These options may include:

Rehabilitation Therapy

Rehabilitation therapy usually takes place in a clinic, a hospital, or at home. It can include any combination of physical, occupational, or speech therapy.

Oral Medication

Oral medications may help some people manage the symptoms of spasticity.

Neurosurgeries

Neurodestructive surgical procedures include selective dorsal rhizotomy, in which the dorsal (sensory) nerve roots are severed.

Injection Therapy

Injection therapy is usually intended for specific muscle groups (for example, one hand, one foot, one shoulder).

Orthopaedic Surgery

Orthopaedic surgeries include soft tissue procedures like tendon transfers and osteotomies (cutting a bone to change its alignment).

Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy (ITB Therapy)

A baclofen pump, also called ITB therapy (intrathecal baclofen therapy), is an adjustable, reversible treatment for severe spasticity. A surgically placed pump and catheter delivers intrathecal baclofen directly to the fluid around the spinal cord.

This therapy is only for patients unresponsive to oral baclofen or those who experience intolerable side effects at effective doses.

Next: About ITB Therapy