`Spasticity Management

To explore the role of Physiotherapist in Spasticity Management



Abstract

Spasticity management is one of the most significant parts of physical rehabilitation, which is provided by the physiotherapists. It holds significant importance in the treatment of patients with long term neurological disorders and is usually followed by severe brain damage, such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain or spinal injury, stroke and neurological degenerative diseases i.e. multiple sclerosis. The paper would present an in-depth analysis of the significance of spasticity management in treatment of patients with long term neurological disorders. The detailed description of the side effects of improper management and the results of failure to conduct proper spasticity management would also be highlighted in the paper. The factors discussed in the paper, including the significance of spasticity management can assist the professionals in ensuring better health standards and the highlighted importance also ensures that more emphasis is laid on the management of spasticity. The method selected for the research, interview method, also holds significant importance as it allows the in depth analysis of the issue and gets to the core of the issue, that is not possible with the use of questionnaires or any other method.

To explore the role of Physiotherapist in Spasticity Management

Introduction

Problem Statement

Most of the patients suffering from long term neurological orders are highly vulnerable to spasticity, and thus it is the responsibility of nursing home to ensure proper and significant spasticity (disability) management (Turner-Stokes, 2007). The failure of the nursing home to do so might result in the readmission of the patients and might also cause them to suffer to a great extent, as spasticity is an extremely painful condition accompanied by other issue as well, including the inability to perform the daily chores on one's own. (Wu, et al., 2010; Barnard, et al., 2008; Turner-Stokes, 2003, P.52 - 54; RCP, 2008 and Chang, et al., 2011)

Background of the research

Spasticity management is a major challenge not only for the person suffering from the issue, but also for the family members and the nursing and caring staff too. The careers and the health professional, particularly the physiotherapist are responsible for ensuring a better and pain free living for the patients, and that is not possible without providing proper spasticity management (Damiano, 2006 and Turner-Stokes, 2003). It is eminent to mention here that management of spasticity is a long term and complicated procedure, which requires sufficient expertise and proper knowledge of the issue (Damiano, 2006). It also involves multi- disciplinary team work, involving the health professional and social (care) workers. The procedure provides the practitioners with an opportunity to interact with the patient as well as other professionals, who are also assisting the procedure by providing assistance in their own particular way (using their professional techniques) (Stevenson, 2010 and Abeele, et al., 2010).

The increased vulnerability of the long term neurological patients makes them susceptible for the practitioners, and thus additional care is needed for ensuring better health conditions and avoiding secondary complications.

It has been reported that a ...