Leg muscles are controlled by nerves from the Brain and from the SPINAL CORD. The BRAIN nerves relax the leg muscles. The SPINAL CORD nerves contract the leg muscles.
Now the BRAIN nerves are cut at D11 and D12. The intact SP CORD nerves keeps contracting the leg muscles causing stiffness and spasticity.
Overtime the leg muscles lose elasticity, accumulate connective tissue, and experience structural shortening (fibrosis), which manifests as a constant, structural leg stiffness.
Next Steps
Other problems you will face are:
1. Overfull bladder.
2. Urinary tract infection.
3. Bed sores.
Health Tips
Treatment:
The following treatments will help you stay flexible, reduce spasticity, and prevent contractures:
1. Stretching or doing range of motion exercises at least twice a day will help you reduce muscle tightness and maintain flexibility.
2. Cyclic activities, such as arm or leg cycling (on its own or with functional electrical stimulation (FES).
3. Weight-bearing exercise, such as standing or walking with support, will help stretch your muscles.
4. Splints, braces, or progressive casting into the desired position will provide constant muscle stretching. They will also help you maintain flexibility.
5. Direct activation of the muscles or nerves with electrical stimulation, or with focal or whole-body vibration may improve spasticity.
Medications: Take anyone or two to relax muscles.
1. Baclofen.
2. Benzodiazepine muscle relaxers. Examples are diazepam or clonazepam.
3. Dantrolene.
4. Tizanidine.
5. Anticholinergics (oxybutynin, tolterodine, trospium)
6. Beta-3 adrenergics (mirabegron, vibegron)
7. Injections of botulinum toxin for a spastic bladder.
Do slow leg exercises as fast movements will cause more contractions.