Symptoms

• Increased muscle tone
• Overactive reflexes
• Pain
• Spasmodic involuntary movements or clonus
• Decrease in the functioning and delay in the motor development

• Difficulty with care and hygiene
• Abnormal posture
• Contractures (permanent contraction of the muscle and tendon due to severe persistent stiffness and spasms)
• Bone and joint deformities

Classification of Spasticity

Spasticity is frequently classified by its presentation and divided into:

• Focal –there is impairment and activity limitation around one joint
• Regional –there is impairment and activity limitation of whole limb/s
• Generalized –there is impairment and activity limitation of whole body

Spasticity Grading System

Modified Ashworth Scale

0   No increase in muscle tone.

1   Slight increase in muscle tone (catch and then release)

1+   Slight increase in muscle tone (catch which is followed by minimal resistance throughout the range of movement)

2   A more marked increase in muscle tone. (Resistance throughout most of the range of movement, but affected part can be easily moved)

3   Considerable increase in muscle tone, passive movement difficult.

4   Affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension.