Hypertonia is a medical condition that causes increased muscle tension, making it difficult for muscles to stretch. It can be spastic or dystonic and is often found in conditions such as cerebral palsy. Treatment includes prescription drugs, therapy, and surgery in severe cases. Prognosis depends on the severity and underlying cause.
Hypertonia is a medical condition characterized by increased muscle tension, causing the muscles to have difficulty stretching. Hypertonia is often referred to as abnormal muscle stiffness and is common in conditions such as cerebral palsy, although it can develop with no known cause. Natural pathological processes and traumatic injuries sometimes lead to the development of hypertonia. Treatment may include the use of prescription drugs and physical or occupational therapy or, in severe cases, surgery may be required.
There are two different types of hypertonia, labeled spastic or dystonic. Spastic hypertonia involves stiff muscles, uncontrollable muscle spasms, and muscle contractions that often feel like electric shocks. This type of hypertonia is frequently found in patients with cerebral palsy or spinal cord injury. Dystonic hypertonicity involves muscle stiffness, which means that even a physical therapist can have difficulty getting the muscles to stretch. This is a common complication of Parkinson’s disease.
Prescription drugs are often used to treat both types of hypertonia. Some of these drugs are formulated to be taken by mouth, while others are designed to be injected directly into the body. Common oral medications include diazepam, dantrolene, or baclofen. Baclofen can also be used in the form of an injection. Botulinum toxin can also be used in injectable form to treat these muscle conditions.
Physical and occupational therapy is often helpful in allowing the muscles to stretch. The patient may be advised to perform range of motion exercises to prevent the affected muscles from becoming too stiff to move. Frequent stretching of the affected muscles can also prove beneficial. These methods are most successful when started as soon as possible after the onset of the condition.
In severe cases, when the muscles won’t stretch even with the help of medical professionals, more intense medical intervention may be required. A type of surgery known as selective dorsal rhizotomy is the most common type of surgery used for this purpose. In this procedure, the nerves responsible for creating muscle tension are cut. This type of surgery often helps the patient regain at least one major level of motion.
The prognosis for those with hypertonia greatly depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. This condition can cause varying degrees of pain and functional limitations, sometimes leaving the patient feeling that their overall quality of life has been reduced. Proper medical care and a good emotional support system can often help improve a patient’s health and quality of life.
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