Spasticity versus Rigidity (Stanford 25 Skills Symposium | rigidity spasticity
Wheneverthereisresistancetomovement,thinkofthetwomostcommonissues:spasticityandrigidity.Bothspasticityandrigidityrepresenthypertonicstates,howeverbothhavedifferentcausesandcharacteristicsthatareimportanttobeawareof. (Ofnoteathirdcauseofhypertoniaisparatoniaseeninanxious ordementedpatientsandsometimesthehypertoniaisdecreasedwiththepatientisdistractedduringmovement.)Spasticity:Causedbylesionsinthe pyramidaltract(i.e.uppermotorneurons)suchthecorticospinaltractStrokeSpinalcordcompressionMotorneu...
When ever there is resistance to movement, think of the two most common issues: spasticity and rigidity. Both spasticity and rigidity represent hypertonic states, however both have different causes and characteristics that are important to be aware of. (Of note a third cause of hypertonia is paratonia seen in anxious or demented patients and sometimes the hypertonia is decreased with the patient is distracted during movement.)
Spasticity:
Caused by lesions in the pyramidal tract (i.e. upper motor neurons) such the corticospinal tractStroke Spinal cord compression Motor neuron disease Weakness present More resistance in one direction the other direction More tone in initial part of movement – “Clasp knife spasticity” It is velocity dependent (i.e. more noticeable with fast movements)Rigidity:
Seen in extrapyramidal lesions (i.e. Parkinson’s) is such as the rubrospinal or vestibulospinal tracts Subtypes include:Cog wheel rigidity (Parkinson’s) – Tremor supe...