Spasticity

This is a regional service provided by the plastic surgery department for the surgical treatment of spasticity of the arm and hand.

The team consists of:

• A plastic surgeon, Catherine Hernon
• Occupational therapists, Joanna Burdon and Caroline Pellatt
• Physiotherapists, Helen Neal and Ben Sirr

We see adults and children who have had brain injuries that have affected the function of their arms and hands. These injuries can result from stroke, birthing difficulty, infection, tumour, or trauma. The limbs can be weak or can be tense due to increased muscle tone and are difficult to control or relax. Sometimes the arm has no movement at all and this can make washing and dressing difficult. The muscles and tendons can become shortened and weak and the joints stiff and sometimes surgery can correct this and improve arm function.

What we do

We take referrals from rehabilitation doctors, paediatricians, neurologists, orthopaedic surgeons and GPs. Often the patient will have had other treatments for their arms such as botulinum toxin injections and most will already have had physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

More information available on our 'What we do' page.