Causes of Spasticity after Stroke
A stroke causes an injury in the brain. When it causes damage to the region that controls muscle tone, spasticity would happen. This condition causes an abnormal increase in your muscle tone, making muscles become tighter and stiffer. As a result, you may find it much more difficult and painful to move around properly. The muscle would even stay contracted in some positions, such as a clenched fist, a bent wrist, or a tucked thumb. Around 25 percent to 40 percent of stroke survivors may experience spasticity after the first year. It tends to be more common in young people or in those who had a hemorrhagic stroke. The timing can vary a lot, depending on many factors. [3]
