This condition is known as spasticity. Muscles may not work at the appropriate time during movement and individuals may not be able to contract a particular muscle without others contracting out of sequence. Spasticity becomes a problem if it gets in the way of an individual's ability to go about the activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing and dressing. In individuals who cannot care for themselves, spasticity can cause pain and make them more difficult to care for. It can lead to medical complications as well.
Spasticity is often painful.
It can make simple activities of daily living time consuming, difficult or impossible for an individual to do alone, placing great demands on a caregiver and the individual. An individual's ability to socialize and enjoy hobbies and recreational activities can be limited. Treating spasticity can decrease health care costs, increase functional ability, and lessen care required. Overall quality of life for the individual and the family is greatly improved because of treatment. Because it is not always possible to eliminate spasticity, the goal of treatment is to reduce spasticity.