In some people, SPS becomes severe enough to affect an individual’s ability to perform daily activities and routines. Sleep usually suppresses the frequency of spasms. Sudden withdrawal of medication in individuals with SPS may result in a life-threatening situation with overwhelmingly severe muscle spasms. In general, muscle spasms last seconds to several minutes, but occasionally can last for hours. However, this is uncommon as most people who have respiratory symptoms with spasms just feel short of breath without respiratory compromise. Spasms involving the chest and respiratory muscles can be serious, potentially requiring emergency medical treatment with ventilatory support. Spasms of abdominal muscles may lead to individuals feeling bloated and constricted around their torso.

The legs are often involved, which may lead to falls. The spasms may involve the entire body or only a specific body region. Muscle spasms are often very painful and usually worsen existing stiffness. Spasms can be triggered by unexpected or loud noises, minor physical contact, cold environments, stress or situations that cause a heightened emotional response. In addition to muscular rigidity/stiffness, individuals with SPS also develop muscle spasms, which may occur for no apparent reason (spontaneously) or in response to various triggering events (i.e., stimuli). As stiffness increases, affected individuals may develop an increasingly arched lower back due to inward curving of the lower spine (hyperlordosis). This leads to a slow, stiff manner of walking. As the disease progresses, stiffness of the leg muscles (and other body regions) develops and can be more pronounced on one side than the other (asymmetrical).

The shoulders, arms, and/or neck may also be affected and less commonly the face. Early on, stiffness may come and go, but it can gradually become fixed. Affected individuals should talk to their physician and medical team about their specific case, associated symptoms and overall treatment plan.Īffected individuals may initially experience aching discomfort, stiffness, or pain, especially in the lower back, hips, and/or legs (predominantly in the classic type). In some people, symptoms can be stabilized or improved through medication and non-medication interventions. The symptoms usually develop over a period of months to years and may remain stable for many years or slowly worsen. The severity and progression of SPS can vary from one person to another. The characteristic symptoms associated with SPS are progressive, fluctuating muscular rigidity that occurs along with muscle spasms. SPS is considered by many clinicians and researchers to be a spectrum of diseases ranging from the involvement of just one area of the body to a widespread, rapidly progressive form that also includes involvement of the brain, brain stem and spinal cord. Like other autoimmune disorders, the majority of individuals with the condition are females. Originally described as stiff man syndrome, the name was changed to reflect that the disorder can affect individuals of any age, race, ethnicity and gender. SPS has been described in the medical literature under many different, confusing names. Although the exact cause of SPS is unknown, it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder and sometimes occurs along with other autoimmune disorders (e.g., thyroid disease, diabetes, pernicious anemia, and vitiligo). If left untreated, SPS can potentially progress to cause difficulty walking and significantly impact a person’s ability to perform routine, daily tasks. The severity and progression of SPS varies from one person to another. Spasms may occur randomly or can be triggered by a variety of different events or circumstances including a sudden noise, light physical contact or when exposed to cold. Muscular rigidity often fluctuates (i.e., grows worse and then improves) and usually occurs along with the muscle spasms. Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare acquired neurological disorder that most often causes progressive muscle stiffness (rigidity) and repeated episodes of painful muscle spasms. Stay Informed With NORD’s Email Newsletter.Find a Rare Disease Patient Organization.Rare Disease Cures Accelerator (RDCA-DAP).Find Clinical Trials & Research Studies.

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