Managing spasticity in children

The treatment of spasticity in cerebral palsy is an exciting field with many new developments over the past 10 years. Spasticity is essentially an uninhibited stretch reflex and can be assessed using scoring systems, such as the modified Ashworth scale. Treatments discussed include oral medications, therapy input, selective dorsal rhizotomy, botulinum toxin injection and intrathecal baclofen. These treatments must be given in a multidisciplinary setting and tailored to each individual child. The short-term aim is to improve ease of motion, and in the longer term to help prevent secondary deformity. Objective measures should be used to measure improvements, such as the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory and Gross Motor Function Measure for functional skills and the Caregiver score assessing quality of life.