| Hypertonia | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Neurology  |
Hypertonia is a term sometimes used synonymously with spasticity and rigidity in the literature surrounding damage to the central nervous system, namely upper motor neuron lesions.[1] Impaired ability of damaged motor neurons to regulate descending pathways gives rise to disordered spinal reflexes, increased excitability of muscle spindles, and decreased synaptic inhibition.[2] These consequences result in abnormally increased muscle tone of symptomatic muscles.[3] Some authors suggest that the current definition for spasticity, the velocity-dependent over-activity of the stretch reflex, is not sufficient as it fails to take into account patients exhibiting increased muscle tone in the absence of stretch reflex over-activity. They instead suggest that "reversible hypertonia" is more appropriate and represents a treatable condition that is responsive to various therapy modalities like drug or physical therapy.[4]
- ^ "hmypertonia". Archived from the original on 2013-06-18. Retrieved 2012-12-17.[full citation needed][dead link]
- ^ O'Sullivan, Susan (2007). Physical Rehabilitation. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: F.A Davis Company. p. 234. ISBN 9780803612471.
- ^ Sheean, Geoffrey; McGuire, John R. (2009). "Spastic Hypertonia and Movement Disorders: Pathophysiology, Clinical Presentation, and Quantification". PM&R. 1 (9): 827–33. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2009.08.002. PMID 19769916. S2CID 30715890.
- ^ Bakheit, A.M.; Fheodoroff, K.; Molteni, F. (2011). "Spasticity or Reversible Muscle Hypertonia?". Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 43 (6): 556–7. doi:10.2340/16501977-0817. PMID 21491075.