Spinal Cord Spasticity Peter Konrad, M.D., Ph.D. Spinal cord injury can result in paralysis and spinal shock. Early symptoms are limp or flaccid paralysis with loss of sensation, reflexes, and bladder control. Over time, the condition progresses to tense paralysis with muscle spasms and possible upper and lower extremity posturing. Muscle tone influences resistance to joint movement. Muscle contraction is controlled by a link from the brain to the spinal cord, specifically anterior horn cells, directly causing muscle contraction.
Treatment targets the relief of pain and spasms through medical or surgical therapy.
Surgical intervention involves transection of pathways carrying pain information by rhizotomy of dorsal nerve roots or chordotomy for spinal cord uncoupling.