Neuro - Muscle tone and length Flashcards
1
Q
What is the purpose of muscle tone?
A
- Sufficient tension to allow movement but maintain stability
- Ability to maintain posture and balance
- Varies with posture and movement.
2
Q
Describe the primary differences (r.e tone) between UMN and LMN disorders…
A
- UMN = high tone
- LMNN = low tone
3
Q
What are the clinical presentations of UMN syndrome?
A
- Weakness
- Spasticity
- Secondary adaptive muscle and soft-tissue changes.
4
Q
What is the basic mechanism behind phasic spasticity?
A
- Increased excitatory connections and decreased inhibitory connections
5
Q
What characteristics are likely to be observed in a person who has an UMN lesion?
A
- Abnormal posture
- Difficulty moving in an effective way
- Resistance to passive movement
- Muscle and joint contractures (deformity)
- Pain (can increase spasticity)
- Spasms/clonus
6
Q
What extrinsic factors could affect muscle tone?
A
- Posture (BoS and CoG)
- Temperature
- Visual or auditory stimuli (affect alert state)
- Emotional states e.g. Anxiety
- Medical factors e.g. UTI’s, increased sensory stimuli etc.
7
Q
What is the main determinant of muscle length?
A
- Sarcomere length and amount.
8
Q
Name some other contributors to joint/muscle stiffness…
A
- Immobilisation of muscles (increased collagen:muscle ratio) in a shortened position ONLY.
