Leg spasticity!

gauchito · Post by **gauchito** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:11 pm

I would be definitely be interested in learning and exchanging. I was liberated on sept 22nd. Improvement so far has been impressive. General symptoms (fatigue, heat intolerance; uneasiness) and most of all intimate sensation of someting burning inside are gone! However my leg sapsticity barely improved. I initiated a trainig program 2 weeks ago that include isometric gym; walking/balance excersise, water-gym and fixed bike. We plan to evaluate results as of march 31st to see how much. if any, of my legs normal bevavior comes back.
It would be great if we could continue to share on this topic that is nowadays what separates me from a relatively decent life !!

newlywed4ever · Post by **newlywed4ever** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:27 pm

I agree on sharing! I had a mere 8 wks of PT and can share what I am doing. I have foot drop, spasticity and walk with a cane. The most helpful exercise (or at least the most significantly improved) is lying on stomach and bending knee, trying to bring heel toward butt. I start with 5 times on the right side and then repeat on the left side (also utilizing "muscle memory"). I could barely do 5 when I began; now 20 (although it's still 5 at a time).

Coolcatcarrie · Post by **Coolcatcarrie** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 2:32 am

I also agree about sharing! I have right foot drop and walk with a foot drop electric stimulater and a stick full time. So at the moment because after only 2 weeks my spasticity in my legs has gone or nearly gone my legs are very weak so my physio is starting me at a very low level of excercises to build up some muscles. With my legs dangling over the arm of my sofa while I'm lying on my back I straighten mylegs one at a time, I lie on the floor and have to lift my bottom off the floor with my knees bent, lying on my side with knees bent lift my leg away from me and sitting on a chair stand up a few times to get my thigh muscles going. That's me for now. Carrie

ykonstan · Post by **ykonstan** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:55 am

may i ask u what do u name "electric stimulater" ? is it walkaide? I will have an appointment on this friday with someone from that company to figure out if walkaide can help me (i have spasticity in both legs) and find out if my insurance is going to pay for it witch i doubt.

Coolcatcarrie · Post by **Coolcatcarrie** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:09 am

Hi ykonstan. Here's a link to what I use for foot drop http://fesmobility.com/. I had a battle in uk to have it paid for by nhs and had to pay privately to begin with but luckily my good doctor fought for me and now the nhs pays as it helps me incredibly! All the best. Carrie

ykonstan · Post by **ykonstan** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 12:29 pm

do u think we have it here in USA? think not. it looks much cheaper cause walkaide costs around $5,000 each - i need two for each leg.
how do u feel having some electical equipment on u? does it feel strange?

gauchito · Post by **gauchito** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 5:56 pm

Other possible interesting angle to solve puzzle of our spasticity might come from neurology. I mean to clearly uderstand how and why our brain misexecute cycle tension-relaxation sending crazy impulses and how can this process be influenced appart from phyical therapy/training.
I think all of us have seen people unfortunately shot in their heads who eventually recover function. This takes my inquiry far beyond simple eplanation based only upon ourn brain lesions
Any thoughts?

Stayfit · Post by **Stayfit** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:56 pm

Our brains have been injured because of MS but the rebuilding process is the same for all brain injuries, whether stroke or gun shot. The brains ability to repair is called brain plasticity. Science only identified this process in the last 30 or 40 years. The brain actually builds new networks when properly stimulated. An example would be a stroke victim that looses speech then regains it. And it is this process that is being engaged with Congresswoman Gifford. I have been able to regain some functions with training. As I became aware of brain plasticity I was very surprised that none of my doctors ever discussed it, or another important element , in rehabing, muscle memory. Google you will see info.

bluesky63 · Post by **bluesky63** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 3:27 am

Years ago I found this:

http://www.wemove.org/spa/

Excellent overview.

gauchito · Post by **gauchito** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 5:32 pm

Interesting page. Thx. Also interesting concept of brain plasticity. I think this attribute of our barin is main reason for hope. I was wondering about this because there is no correlation between brain lessions and disability in MS. Sometimes more lesions end up in less disability and viceversa; so there must be something else not working properly

sou · Post by **sou** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 5:49 am

Ok about the brain. But what about the spinal cord? The brain is the road network of a city. If 10 streets are closed, cars will find their way, a bit slower, though. There are many alternatives. But what happens if just a single bridge of the interstate collapses?

Algis · Post by **Algis** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 6:16 am

The brain is the city. Carotid is the freeway in, jugulars are the highways out.
Inside the city are avenues, road; alleys etc... which brings the trucks/cars/loads from carotid in all facilities (factories/neurons and workers/synapses etc...) and give them supplies - food, resources, material to work etc...).

Then garbage trucks/cleaning staff loads the jugular highway back to the discharge (lungs, kidneys, liver, etc...) with the shuttles (red cells) and... start again

A darn busy traffic

Stayfit · Post by **Stayfit** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 8:45 am

I work on understanding the mechanics of each particular movement so that I can identify muscle groups that are weak. For instance the first point of engagement in walking is raising the knee. Hip muscle is needed to lift the knee. If your hip is weak and unable to pick up knee your leg swings as you walk rather than stepping heel -toe. I have found that if I try heel -toe without thinking about raising knee, walking is stiff legged.
Remedy: hip strengthening training. -example- With support stand in place slowly raising knee as high as you can. Get an idea of your range of motion. You can walk using a walker deliberately raising your knee.
If you can not raise your knee on your own get assistance. Eventually you will be able to do it alone.
The thought process of raising your knee assists the rewiring of the brain(Plasticity) and engaging your knee reminds your hip muscle of its job(muscle memory).

fiddler · Post by **fiddler** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 10:20 am

I find my spasticity is worse for a minute after I've been sitting (usual hunched over, bad posture!) or kneeling down bent over for a while. However, I have osteoarthritis and am beginning to wonder if something I've been blaming on MS is really due to osteoarthritis.

I have been working with my physiotherapist on strengthening my semi-atrophied leg and hip muscles and it is helping. But has anyone tried PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) exercises? A friend who was liberated this summer has been getting great results from doing these under the guidance of a physio who normally works on rehabilitating stroke patients.

lyndacarol · Post by **lyndacarol** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 11:53 am

Stayfit – I find great benefit in your postings on exercise. Thank you so much.

I propose that a new forum devoted exclusively to exercise be created. I do not think the CCSVI forum is the most appropriate; your contributions on exercise apply to many more people than just those with CCSVI. I cannot find an existing forum title that is appropriate. A dedicated forum would make it easier for everyone to find the information.

I think exercise/physical therapy is important to all of us.

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Leg spasticity!

electric stimulater?

Exercises, osteoparthritis and spasticity