What is the primary symptom associated with the diagnosis of spasticity?

Increased muscle tone is the primary symptom associated with the diagnosis of spasticity. Spasticity is a condition often linked to damage in the brain or spinal cord, such as in cases of stroke, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis. The characteristic feature of spasticity is a velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone, which means that the resistance to passive movement is greater the faster the muscle is stretched.

This increased muscle tone results from an imbalance in the neural pathways that regulate muscle contraction, often due to upper motor neuron lesions. As a result, individuals with spasticity may experience stiffness, spasms, and difficulties with movement and coordination. The significance of recognizing increased muscle tone as the primary symptom facilitates appropriate diagnosis and treatment strategies, targeting this specific aspect of spasticity to improve function and quality of life for affected individuals.