Hypertonia is the abnormal increase in muscle tone, in which the muscle loses the ability to stretch, which can cause increased stiffness due to constant signaling of muscle contraction. This occurs mainly due to damage to upper motor neurons that can occur as a result of Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, metabolic diseases and cerebral palsy, which is the leading cause of hypertonia in children.
People with hypertonia have difficulty moving because there is neural dysfunction in controlling muscle contraction, as well as muscle imbalance and spasms. It is recommended that the person with hypertonia be accompanied by a neurologist and perform physical therapy sessions to relieve pain and improve movement.
- The main sign of hypertonia is the difficulty of performing movements due to the constant nerve signal of muscle contraction.
- In the event that hypertonia reaches the legs.
- For example.
- The gait can become stiff and the person may fall.
- Because in these cases it is difficult for the body to react quickly enough to regain balance.
- In addition.
- Other signs and symptoms of hypertonia include:.
In addition, symptoms may vary depending on the severity of hypertonia and whether or not it progresses with the disease responsible for this change. For example, in the case of mild hypertonia, there may be little or no effect on a person’s health, while in severe hypertonia, there may be increased bone immobility and bone fragility, as well as an increased risk of bone fractures, infections, pressure ulcers. development and development. pneumonia, for example.
Therefore, it is important that the cause of hypertonia be identified so that appropriate treatment is initiated with the aim of promoting the well-being of the person and improving their quality of life.
A hipertonia ocorre quando as regiões do cérebro ou medula espinhal que controlam os sinais relacionados com a contração e o relaxamento muscular são danificados, o que pode acontecer devido a diversas situações, sendo as principais:
In children, hypertonia can occur due to damage to intrauterine life or an extrapyramidal effect, but is mainly related to cerebral palsy, which corresponds to changes in nervous system development due to lack of oxygen in the brain or the presence of clots. . Understand what cerebral palsy and its types are.
Treatment of hypertonia is recommended by the doctor based on the severity of the symptoms presented and aims to improve motor skills and relieve pain, favoring the quality of life of the person. For this, your doctor may recommend the use of muscle relaxant medications that can be used orally or directly in cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, botulinum toxin can be used to relieve hypertonia in a specific area of the body because its effects are local and not throughout the body.
It is also important that physical therapy and occupational therapy are performed to stimulate movement and avoid resistance, as well as help with muscle development. In some cases, the use of orthoses may also be indicated, which can be used during a person’s rest periods or as a means to help make difficult-to-achieve movements.