Treatment Options for Severe Spasticity Due to Spinal Cord Injury or Disease

There are a number of options when it comes to reducing severe spasticity. One is our ITB Therapy^SM using a Medtronic programmable pump, which delivers medication directly to the fluid around your spinal cord.

There is currently no cure for severe spasticity. However, there are a number of treatment options available for managing your symptoms. They include:

Rehabilitation Therapy

Rehabilitation therapy usually takes place in a clinic, a hospital, or at home. It can include any combination of physical, occupational, or speech therapy.

Oral Medication

Oral medications may help some people treat the symptoms of spasticity.

Neurosurgeries

Neurodestructive surgical procedures include selective dorsal rhizotomy, in which the dorsal (sensory) nerve roots are severed.

Injection Therapy

Injection therapy is usually intended for specific muscle groups (for example, one hand, one foot, one shoulder).

Orthopaedic Surgery

Orthopaedic surgeries include soft tissue procedures like tendon transfers and osteotomies (cutting a bone to change its alignment).

ITB Therapy

A Medtronic implantable pump, also called ITB Therapy, is an adjustable, reversible treatment for severe spasticity. A surgically placed pump and catheter delivers anti-spastic medication directly to the fluid around the spinal cord, where it’s needed most.

This therapy is only for patients unresponsive to oral anti-spastic medication or those who experience intolerable side effects at effective doses.

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