The Hypertonic Crisis: Spasticity: Diagnosis and Management (2nd Edition)
Spasticity is not merely “muscle tightness”; it is a devastating, velocity-dependent hypertonia caused by a catastrophic upper motor neuron lesion (e.g., cerebral palsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury). Left untreated, it rapidly drives joints into rigid, irreversible contractures, causing agonizing pain and profound disability. Spasticity: Diagnosis and Management (2nd Edition) is a fiercely analytical, multidisciplinary manual designed to break this cycle of neurological dysfunction. This volume provides the exact blueprints required to chemically and surgically override the spastic limb.
Mastering Pharmacological Blockade
The core philosophy of this text is targeted tone reduction. The authors aggressively detail the pharmacology of chemodenervation. It dictates exactly how to utilize electromyography (EMG) or ultrasound guidance to inject Botulinum Toxin precisely into the motor endplates of the gastrocnemius or the flexor carpi ulnaris, temporarily paralyzing the hyperactive muscle and creating a window for intense physical therapy.
Navigating Surgical and Intrathecal Interventions
The book provides a masterclass in advanced neuromodulation and orthopedic release. It dictates the exact clinical pathways for identifying patients who require an implantable Intrathecal Baclofen (ITB) pump for severe, systemic spasticity. It rigorously details the orthopedic surgical algorithms for lengthening contracted tendons (e.g., Achilles tendon lengthening) or transferring tendons to restore functional balance across a joint.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this a book primarily for neurologists or orthopedic surgeons?
Both. Spasticity requires a perfectly coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. This book bridges the gap between the Neurologist/Physiatrist (who manages the tone) and the Orthopedic Surgeon (who corrects the structural deformity).
Who is the primary audience?
It is the absolute, mandatory clinical guide for Physiatrists (PM&R), Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurologists, and specialized Physical Therapists.
