Spasticity or impaired tone
- Spasticity or impaired tone may also cause pain. Some patients who have had a stroke find they develop contractures in their affected limbs (where the muscles tighten up and can’t be straightened out). This can make normal mobility impossible and cause painful muscular spasms
- Approximately 20% of patients experience spasticity, especially in the affected arm
- Patients should be assessed for the presence of spasticity as a cause of pain; splinting, medication and BotulinumToxin (Botox) injections are interventions that may ease pain caused by impaired tone. Patients should be referred to their own doctor, who may refer the patient onwards to a pain clinic for further assessment and treatment
