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1 day ago · Stiff Person Syndrome is a rare, progressive neurological disorder characterized by severe muscle stiffness and painful spasms. It was first identified in the 1950s and remains relatively unknown, thought to affect about one to two in a million people. It is often compared to other neurological or autoimmune disorders, such as Parkinson’s ...
Jun 23, 2024 · WATCH - What is 'Stiff-Person Syndrome'? – May 28, 2023. An “episode at work” is how Robyn Cook describes the sudden and life-changing full-body spasm that sent her to the emergency...
Oct 21, 2020 · By Meghan Holohan. Jane Lees, 58, lives in Indianapolis and used to work in media. Last year, she suddenly lost a lot of weight and began experiencing extreme muscle pain. She learned a rare...
- Health Reporter
- What Is Stiff Person Syndrome?
- Stiff Person Syndrome Symptoms
- Types of Stiff Person Syndrome
- What Causes Stiff Person Syndrome?
- Stiff Person Syndrome Diagnosis
- Stiff Person Syndrome Treatment
Stiff person syndrome is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that most commonly causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that come and go and can worsen over time. However, some people experience other symptoms such as an unsteady gait, double vision or slurred speech. SPS symptoms are thought to be related to which type of SPS a person has. ...
Stiff person syndrome most often causes painful muscle contractions and spasms that often begin in the legs and back. Spasms can also affect the abdomen, and less often the upper trunk, arms, neck and face. The spasms can occur in episodes, especially when a person with SPS is surprised or startled, or moves suddenly. Cold temperatures and emotiona...
Classic Stiff Person Syndrome
Most people with SPS have the classic form. Symptoms include stiffness and spasms in the muscles of the lower back, legs (more than arms) and sometimes abdomen. People with classic SPS may have frequent muscle spasms and walk with a stiff gait, and they can be in pain most of the day.
Partial Stiff Person Syndrome
Less commonly, people with SPS can have partial SPS, sometimes called stiff limb syndrome, stiff leg syndrome or stiff trunk syndrome. With partial SPS, tight muscles and spasms are limited to a specific area, usually one leg. For most people with partial SPS, spasms and contractions do not affect the trunk but, in some cases, they affect part of the chest or abdomen.
Stiff Person Syndrome Plus
Another less common type of the syndrome is SPS plus, which is best described as a combination of classic features (spasms and stiffness) and symptoms that suggest brainstem and/or cerebellar dysfunction. People with SPS plus can have muscle spasms and rigidity along with lack of coordination, double vision, slurred speech and other symptoms.
Much needs to be learned about how stiff person syndrome develops. It is believed to be an autoimmune disorder— in autoimmune conditions, the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues. Similar to other autoimmune conditions, SPS affects more women than men. Most people with stiff person syndrome have unique antibodies in their blood that are mad...
Stiff person syndrome is very rare and complex, and its many symptoms can be caused by other, more common conditions. It may take time and several tests to diagnose SPS. If your doctor suspects that your symptoms are due to stiff person syndrome, he or she will review your detailed medical history and perform a physical exam followed by a diagnosti...
Stiff person syndrome is a complex condition that affects people in different ways. Also, different types of SPS may require different treatment approaches. A personalized SPS treatment plan typically addresses the syndrome’s autoimmune, neurologic, visual, mobility and pain aspects. Although currently, no therapy makes stiff person syndrome go awa...
Jun 10, 2024 · What is stiff person syndrome? Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness in your trunk and abdomen (the middle part of your body). Over time, you may also develop stiffness (rigidity) and spasms in your legs and other muscles.
Oct 13, 2022 · Stiff person syndrome (also known as SPS, Moersch-Woltman syndrome, and stiff man syndrome) is a very rare condition that can cause your muscles to become rigid or spasm. This is a...
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Sep 28, 2015 · Her presentation suggested stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a neurological disorder characterized by muscular rigidity — typically in the trunk and limbs and sometimes in the face, arms and abdomen — and muscle spasms. The syndrome is twice as prevalent in women as in men.
