What Is Stiff Person Syndrome?

Stiff Person Syndrome is an autoimmune and neurological disorder that causes rigidity and spasms in the trunk and limbs.

Stiff person syndrome, also called Moersch-Woltman syndrome and formerly stiff man syndrome, can also cause painful muscle spasms.

What Is Stiff Person Syndrome?

Stiff person syndrome is a rare autoimmune movement disorder that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).

People with this condition first experience a stiffening of the muscles of their trunk followed, over time, by the development of stiffness and rigidity in the legs and other muscles in the body.

Stiff person syndrome is more likely seen in people with certain types of diseases including, Autoimmune disorders including diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo, and pernicious anemia. Certain cancers include breast, lung, kidney, thyroid, colon, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In most people with stiff person syndrome, the trunk and abdomen muscles are the first to become stiff and enlarged. Symptoms include pain, muscle stiffness, and aching discomfort.

Treatment for stiff person syndrome is based on your symptoms. The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and improve your mobility and comfort