A pump that continuously dispenses tiny amounts of muscle relaxer directly to the spinal fluid is being used at the Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center to ease debilitating spasticity in children. The problem often worsens with age as muscles intended to stretch with growth don't.
Results range from a slight tendency to walk on the tiptoes to the inability to walk or communicate.
Spasticity also can result in permanent muscle tightness and positioning problems called contractures. The first line of treatment is physical therapy beginning at the point of diagnosis and continuing until the child has stopped growing and often throughout life, Dr. Flannery said. When therapy cannot sufficiently relax the tightness, muscle relaxers, such as baclofen, are prescribed. But the high doses required for severe spasticity often have side effects such as extreme sleepiness and even loose muscles. Surgical options include dorsal rhizotomy during which select sensory nerve fibers that control leg muscles are cut or orthopedic procedures to release tendons.