Spasticity: its physiology and management. Part II. Neurophysiology of spasticity: current concepts

Abstract

A review is presented of current information about the structural and functional details of the muscle spindle, denervation supersensitivity, neurotrophism, regenerative capabilities of the peripheral and central nervous systems, CNS plasticity as revealed by recovery of function following brain lesions, and the secondary functional consequences of long-term spasticity. If this recent basic information is to have any practical impact, it must ultimately be incorporated into our concepts of spasticity and applied to our clinical evaluation and treatment procedures.