Our clinic combines pediatric expertise in physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurosurgery, orthopedics, psychology and physical and occupational therapy so we can address all aspects of your child's spasticity and provide the services he needs at the same time, in the same place.
We provide comprehensive evaluation, treatment and coordinated, ongoing care to children and teens who have complex cases of spasticity that may be difficult to treat. We coordinate care through all phases of treatment - from medication, leg braces and therapy to surgery and rehabilitation.
Spasticity is a chronic state of tight or stiff muscle tone that interferes with a person's mobility. It's one of the hallmark symptoms of cerebral palsy. It also can result from a stroke, traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, anoxic brain damage, severe head injury and some metabolic disorders.
Symptoms of spasticity include:
These symptoms can make dressing, eating, walking and other everyday activities very difficult for patients and caregivers, and can interfere with speech. Severe, long-term spasticity may also lead to muscle contracture, causing joints to bend at a fixed position.
Neurosurgical procedures like selective dorsal rhizotomy and baclofen pump placement - combined with orthopedic surgery and intensive physical rehabilitation therapy - can improve the quality of life for children with spasticity.
Pediatric Physiatrist: Director, Spasticity Clinic; Co-Director, Myelodysplasia Clinic
Director, Division of Pediatric Physiatry; Medical Director, Rehabilitation; Pediatric Physiatrist; Co-director, Myelodysplasia Clinic
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon; Director, Orthopedic Surgery & Clubfoot Clinic, Mahoning Valley
cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, movement disorder, traumatic brain injury