| clasp-knife spasticity | Initial increased resistance to stretch of the extensor muscles of a joint that give way rather suddenly allowing the joint then to be easily flexed; the rigidity is due to an exaggeration of the stretch reflex. See: lengthening reaction. Synonym: clasp-knife effect, clasp-knife rigidity. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| muscle spasticity | A combination of the symptoms of increased resistance to lengthening, hyperactive tendon reflexes, and clonus. Muscle spasticity occurs in hemiplegia. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| spasticity | A state of hypertonicity or increase over the normal tone of a muscle, with heightened deep tendon reflexes. (18 Nov 1997) |