Program supports children and adults affected by spasticity

(Boise, ID) –Saint Alphonsus is pleased to announce the launch of Idaho’s first comprehensive spasticity program.  The new Idaho Spasticty Program at Saint Alphonsus was created to provide specialized care and comfort to children and adults with spasticity. Spasticity, while rare in the general population, can affect nearly 80% of individuals with cerebral palsy and is often observed in patients after cerebrovascular accidents, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury.           

Spasticity is a motor disorder that is characterized by abnormal muscle movement that can interfere with activities of daily living, walking and can be painful.  “Spasticity often limits an individual's ability to move safely and live independently,” said Dr. Jeff Shilt, orthopaedic surgeon and pediatric orthopaedic medical director at Saint Alphonsus. “The degree of spasticity varies from mild muscle stiffness to severe, painful, and uncontrollable muscle spasms and can show as unusual posturing, for example, carrying the shoulder, arm, wrist, and fingers at an abnormal angle.  “For that reason, treatment options in a comprehensive program such as ours, is vital in relieving symptoms of spasticity,” adds Shilt. 

Historically, treatment options included oral medications and injections.  Newer therapy, intrathecal baclofen, is an option that can significantly reduce spasticity. This involves a pump which drips the drug (baclofen) directly on the spinal cord to reduce the symptoms.  Now, patients have an even better treatment option for their condition with the introduction of the new Idaho Spasticity Program at Saint Alphonsus. 

“A great advantage of this new program is that it brings together a skilled team of professionals.  The multidisciplinary collaboration includes orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, physiatrists, rehabilitation nurse, and physical therapists who diagnose, treat and create a management plan for individuals with spasticity,” said Dr. Vic Kadyan, a physiatrist who specializes in spasticity management at the Idaho Spasticity Program.  “It is a comprehensive program that is tailored to every individual’s goals and needs.” 

About the Idaho Spasticity Program
The Spasticity Program began out of the interest of Dr. Jeff Shilt, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and pediatric orthopaedic medical director at Saint Alphonsus.  Dr. Shilt has a long history of involvement with treatment of spasticity while he was a clinical professor at Wake Forrest University.  He has published extensively on the use of intrathecal baclofen in children suffering from spasticity.   Dr. Shilt is joined by Dr. Vic Kadyan, a physiatrist with Boise Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, who has over 10 years of experience in physiatry and shares Dr. Shilt's interest in creating this local program to treat these patients who historically have not had many treatment options.  Dr. Kadyan’s primary professional interests are neuro-rehabilitation, spasticity, musculoskeletal and electrodiagnostic medicine.

About Saint Alphonsus

Saint Alphonsus is a 387-licensed bed regional medical center serving people throughout the Northwest. Saint Alphonsus emphasizes care that is patient-centered, innovative and community based. Saint Alphonsus focuses on providing services in a spiritual, healing environment, and is renowned for its state-of-the-art digital environment and pioneering technologies; award-winning clinical services; a nationally accredited Life Flight program and the region’s Trauma Center. For information about Saint Alphonsus visit www.saintalphonsus.org. 

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