Spasticity: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Spasticity?
A neurologist, a doctor who treats brain and nerve conditions, usually helps find and treat the cause of spasticity. A physical therapist, an expert in exercise and movement, often helps with treatment. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is spasticity?
Spasticity is stiff or rigid muscles. It may also be called unusual tightness or increased muscle tone. Other names for it are muscle stiffness and hypertonia.
Reflexes are stronger or exaggerated, such as the knee-jerk reflex. The condition can interfere with walking, movement, speech, and many other activities of daily living.
Spasticity is a common secondary complication in conditions such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and cerebral palsy. It can hurt health and quality of life.
Symptoms
Symptoms of spasticity include:
- Abnormal posture.
- Limited, slow movements.
- A shoulder, arm, wrist, and finger held at an odd angle because of tight muscles.
- Strong reflexes, such as an exaggerated knee-jerk.
- Repetitive jerky motions, called clonus, especially when you are touched or moved.
- Scissoring, which is when the legs cross like the tips of scissors closing.
- Pain or deformity of the affected area of the body.
Spasticity may also affect speech. Severe, long-term spasticity may lead to contracture of muscles. This can reduce range of motion or leave the joints bent.
Causes and who gets it
Spasticity is often caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls movements you choose to make. It may also come from damage to the nerves in the spinal cord.
Many conditions can lead to it, including:
- Stroke.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Spinal cord injury.
- Head injury.
- Cerebral palsy, a group of disorders due to brain injury at birth.
- Brain damage from a lack of oxygen, as can occur in near drowning or near suffocation.
- Infections of the brain or spinal cord, such as Lyme disease, syphilis, HIV, and tuberculosis.
- Tumors in the brain or spinal cord.
- Too little vitamin B12, vitamin E, or copper.
The list is not complete. Other conditions can also cause spasticity.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. You may be asked when it was first noticed, how long it has lasted, and how severe it is. You may also be asked which muscles are affected and what makes it better or worse.
Once the cause is known, your provider may refer you to a physical therapist. Ruling out reversible causes is important.
Treatment
Exercise, including muscle stretching, can help make symptoms less severe. Physical therapy is also helpful. A physical therapist can teach stretching and strengthening exercises. Parents can learn them and help a child do them at home.
Other treatments may include:
- Medicines to treat spasticity, taken as instructed.
- Botulinum toxin injected into the spastic muscles.
- In rare cases, a pump that delivers medicine into the spinal fluid and nervous system.
- Surgery to release a tendon or to cut the nerve-muscle pathway, which is sometimes used.
When to see a doctor
Contact your health care provider if the spasticity gets worse or you notice deformity of the affected areas.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room for sudden weakness, sudden dizziness, a sudden change in vision, or a head or spine injury.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can review your symptoms and ask about when the stiffness started. They can also help set up visits with a neurologist and a physical therapist.
Common questions
What causes spasticity?
Spasticity is often caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls movements you choose to make. It can also come from damage to the nerves in the spinal cord.
Can spasticity be treated?
Yes, treatments can help. Exercise, muscle stretching, and physical therapy can make symptoms less severe. Doctors may also use medicines or botulinum toxin injections.
Does spasticity affect speech?
Yes, it can. Spasticity may also affect speech.
Can spasticity cause lasting joint problems?
Yes, it can. Severe, long-term spasticity may lead to contracture of muscles. This can reduce range of motion or leave the joints bent.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
