Spasms in spinal cord injury: a study of 72 subjects

Seventy-two patients with spinal cord injury of at least two years duration were reviewed retrospectively to determine incidence and effects of spasms. The average time between the injury and the examination was ten years. Seventy patients experienced spasms. In 50 patients (72%) the spasms appeared within six months after the injury. Historically, the spasms reached their maximal severity within 12 months. No significant difference was found in intensity and frequency of spasms between patients with clinically complete or incomplete spinal cord injury. Extensor spasms were seen more frequently than flexor spasms in the long-term patients. Patients with incomplete myelopathies had more extensor spasms than those with complete SCI.