In uncomplicated FSP, people may experience muscle spasms and bladder control problems. In complicated FSP, there may be problems with the eyes, other muscles, coordination, hearing, or mental retardation. Stiffness may be improved by the use of baclofen, diazepam, dantrolene, or tizanidine taken by mouth. Some individuals have had baclofen instilled directly into the spinal canal. Supports include splints, canes, crutches, and other aids to ambulation.
Some individuals require the use of wheelchair or motorized cart.
However, as more families are studied, this division appears less distinct and less useful. Uncomplicated disease does not cause additional major symptoms. Complicated disease is characterized by some combination of significant problems in the eyes, muscles, coordination, skin, hearing, or mental retardation, in addition to the problems in the legs of affected people. The majority of families participating in our research effort to date have uncomplicated disease. In the majority of families with multiple affected members participating in the studies at DUMC thus far, the inheritance pattern is autosomal dominant .