On 9/2/00 , Dave...<[log in to unmask]> writes:
<< I have a spinal cord injury patient with C10 level, but spasticity is
was found at bilateral lower limb on objective examination. Spinal cord
injury is lower motor neuron disease and muscle weakness should be
found, so why spasticity at lower limbs was shown? >>
*** Would you kindly explain this case more carefully? Did you mean that
this patient exhibits spasticity of all of the muscles of both lower
extremities? Did you also mean that your specific patient is suffering
from motor neuron disease? - the wording of your letter was a little unclear.
Anyway, spasticity of the lower extremities is very common among
quadriplegics, paraplegics and other spinal patients, even though this would
appear to be logically irrational. My wife is a T3 paraplegic and, despite
rhizotomy, she still experiences profound spasm in both of her legs.
Another very serious problem afflicting many spinal patients is the presence
of high levels of chronic pain below the site of the spinal injury. You will
find that many spinal patients will place priority of pain control (and bowel
and bladder control) far above the ability to one day walk again.
Unfortunately, most of the current methods of pain control, other than the
use of powerful narcotics, generally are highly ineffectual.
The issue that you have raised and many of its ramifications are of great
value for further discussion.
Dr Mel C Siff
Denver, USA
http://www.egroups.com/group/supertraining
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