ABSTRACT
Spasticity is a motor disorder characterized by a velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone with an exaggerated tendon jerk resulting from hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex (1). Baclofen is a powerful muscle relaxant and antispasmodic agent (2) and has been widely used since the early 1970s to treat spasticity. It was originally synthesized as an antiepileptic medication, but its anticonvulsant activity was found to be negligible. In fact, baclofen has been shown to lower seizure threshold in known epileptic patients. Penn and Kroin first introduced intrathecal baclofen in the treatment of spasticity in 1984 (3). Its first indication was for chronic, medically intractable spasticity of spinal origin (4,5). Indications have since been extended to include: spasticity related to cerebral palsy (6,7), stroke (8,9), generalized dystonia (10,11), traumatic brain injury (12), and chronic pain (13,14). In this chapter, we will review the treatment of spasticity related to cerebral palsy using continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion.
