Pediatric Stroke and Spasticity Clinic
The Pediatric Stroke and Spasticity Clinic is a multidisciplinary effort of Pediatric Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine in cooperation with the departments of Radiology and Hematology.
Our approach to spasticity
Spasticity in children is a condition causing muscle tightness, contractions, or spasms. At MedStar Georgetown Pediatrics we’re passionate about the children we treat and put your child at the center of care. Your child will receive care from a multidisciplinary team of experts. Collaboration ensures we develop a comprehensive treatment plan to address the needs of each child. Our team includes pediatric specialists and medical professionals in:
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Neurodevelopment
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Orthotics
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Social Services
Conditions We Treat:
In addition to spasticity, we provide treatment for conditions that can cause spasticity, including:
- Cerebral palsy
- Brain tumors
- Genetic conditions
- Spinal cord injury
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
Treatments and Services:
Treatment depends on your child’s condition and the area of the body affected. To reduce pain and improve mobility, your child will benefit from advanced diagnostic tests and personalized surgical and nonsurgical treatments that may include:
- Botox injections
- Oral medicine
- Orthopedic surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Serial casting
Spasticity has several possible causes, can affect different parts of the body, and can significantly range in severity — so the Division of Pediatric Neurology tailors our care to the needs of each individual patient. No matter your child’s needs, our expert team can create a care plan to help achieve the best possible clinical outcomes.
Our providers
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Meaghan A Kelly, MD
Pediatric Neurology
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Thuy Nguyen, MD
Neurology, Pediatric Neurology & Epilepsy Neurology
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Paola Pergami, MD MDDO
Pediatric Nephrology & Pediatric Neurology
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Our location
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MedStar Health: Pediatrics at Tenleytown
4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW 4th Floor Washington, DC 20016
Frequently asked questions
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What is spasticity?
Spasticity is a disorder that affects muscle control. Children with spasticity may experience muscle jerks, tightness, or involuntary movements. While the severity of symptoms varies widely, spasticity often causes pain and difficulty with day-to-day tasks or mobility. Treatment can help increase comfort and functioning.
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What causes spasticity?
Spasticity is caused by abnormal communication between the body’s nerves and muscles. This problem with the central nervous system has a variety of possible causes, including strokes, brain or spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy. In children, cerebral palsy is the most common cause of spasticity.
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How is spasticity treated?
We offer many types of treatment for children with spasticity. Our interdisciplinary team evaluates each child, discusses the treatment options with families, and creates highly customized care plans. Treatment options may include:
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Oral medications
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BOTOX® injections to temporarily relax muscles for three to six months
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Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy (sometimes called ITB or a Baclofen Pump), a treatment which uses a surgically placed pump to deliver a drug that reduces spasticity
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Serial casting, a treatment that uses a series of casts to gradually stretch muscles
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Resources
To learn more about what causes childhood spasticity and how we treat it, please check out the following resources: