Thursday, April 24, 2003 TODAY
East Campus news
Spasticity management seminar focuses on rehabilitation professionals
The Loma Linda University Medical Center International Rehabilitation
Institute sponsored in part a spasticity seminar to focus on rehab professionals
who deal with the issue on a daily basis and may want more training than
they have received before now. The speakers included two doctors, an
occupational therapist, and a physical therapist, who all spoke to the
group on how to recognize spasticity
and how to best treat it.
The workshop emphasized the team approach to spasticity management and the vital
role that therapists play in providing the foundation for patient function and
satisfaction. Throughout the morning-long session, the presenters helped define
spasticity and describe the benefits and limitations of current treatment options.
Murray Brandstater, MBBS, PhD, medical director of physical medicine and rehabilitation
at Loma Linda University Medical Center, began the morning with his presentation
that provided an overview of the topic. Dr. Brandstater, often interspersing
humor, helped define spasticity as an active, involuntary resistance of a muscle
to a passive stretch. He went on to describe that spasticity is a chronic disorder
causing muscle stiffness, impaired motor control, and reduced function for patients.
It has several causes including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and cerebral
palsy. He gave an overview of treatments available, stressing that good physical
and occupational therapy were essential components of all treatment programs.
Divakara Kedlaya, MBBS, medical director of the spinal cord injury program at
Loma Linda University Medical Center, presented on the two main treatment options
employed, intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy and Botulinum Toxin® therapy.
Maureen Johnson, MS, OTR, BCN, an occupational therapist at Scripps Encinitas
Rehabilitation, presented the perspective of therapists in spasticity management.
She described several common clinical problems with muscle involvement where
either stiffness or atrophy decreased patient functionality.
Erin Kullgren, MPT, a physical therapist at Scripps Encinitas Rehabilitation,
discussed the therapists role in ITB. The presentation described the therapists
role as facilitator and educator, to help set realistic goals for the patient
while educating the family or caregiver on the purpose of the treatment.
The seminar was co-sponsored by Allergan® and Medtronic, Inc.®
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Thursday, April 24, 2003 TODAY
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