Great question — they're related but not exactly the same thing. Spasticity is an umbrella term for an unusual increase in muscle tone, and leg cramps (like a charley horse) are actually one of the ways spasticity can show up.
There are three main ways spasticity can present:
- Stiffness — a limb that's hard to bend, like Show Full Answer
Great question — they're related but not exactly the same thing. Spasticity is an umbrella term for an unusual increase in muscle tone, and leg cramps (like a charley horse) are actually one of the ways spasticity can show up.
There are three main ways spasticity can present:
- Stiffness — a limb that's hard to bend, like struggling to get your leg into a car
- Spasms — a bouncing or jerking movement, like a foot bouncing when putting on a shoe
- Cramps — a visible, painful contraction of the muscle, like a charley horse, which can be intense enough to stop someone in their tracks So while a leg cramp is a form of spasticity, not all spasticity looks like a cramp. Spasticity tends to get worse when it's cold outside or when the body has been still for a while, like after sleeping or sitting for long periods.
It's worth bringing up any cramping or stiffness with a doctor, since spasticity has specific treatments that work better than general pain relievers.
6 days ago
Join
Your Privacy Choices
