Tone Management Flashcards
what is ms tone and why is it adaptive
resting tension in ms
resistance to elongation/stretch when relaxed
state of partial ms contraction at rest that supports posture and provides baseline tension for volitional contractions
what are anatomical structures that contribute to the complex control of a ms fiber (5)
cortex
brainstem
cerebellum
spinal stretch reflexes
ms spindles
clinical reasoning: do you always want to dec ms tone if person has hypertonicity?
not necessarily
clinical reasoning: do you always want to inc ms tone if person has hypotonicity?
yes
what are 4 pathologies can result in hypotonicity and how
LMNL:
- impacts ant horn of SC, ventral nerve root, spinal nerves, or peripheral nerves
UMNL:
- damage to corticospinal tract -> have hypotonicity in acute/shock phases & even long term s/p stroke
chromosomal abnormalities (ie downs)
cerebellar lesions
what is hypotonicity and how does it present
dec resistance to passive elongation
limbs/trunk feel heavy/floppy
- ms are soft/squishy to palpation
what is hypotonicity associated with (2)
dec stretch reflex
dec DTRs
why do you commonly see secondary weakness in hypotonicity
those w normal strength w low tone require more energy for more tension to be generated in extrafusal ms fibers to make up for that low baseline tension
- takes more energy to move and endurance may be a problem
what are secondary complications that result from hypotonicity (2)
atrophy, weakness
joint misalignment, subluxation
what is a common manifestation that you can observe in people who have low tone
poor postural alignment
- forward flexed trunk
- forward head
- post pelvic tilt
- W-sitting in children
what is the goal when treating hypotonicity
improve motor response and mvmt patterns for inc safety and independence w functional activities
what are 5 strategies to inc ms response w sensory input
approximation
ms tapping, quick swipe
light, graded resistance
wt bearing positions
moveable/pliable surfaces
how does approximation inc ms response
inc proprioceptive input from joint receptors
-> help facilitate co-contraction in wt bearing position -> help w extensor response primarily (some flexor, but mostly extensor)
how does ms tapping inc ms response
activate ms spindle
-> if activate briskly can inc motor response
how does light, graded resistance inc ms response
tracking resistance -> facilitatory to encourage smoother mvmt
how does wt bearing inc ms response
stability, postures, co-contraction, proprioceptive input
- get approximation -> facilitate co-contraction and inc extensor response
how does moveable/pliable surfaces inc ms response
if hypotonicity -> activates reticular system and facilitates a ms response
what is the focus of treating someone w hypotonicity
focus on strengthening ms and proper postural alignment
what is a consideration of when to implement strategies to inc ms response in hypotonic pts
preparatory techniques that are not a treatment in and of itself
-> prepping to optimize motor system and prepare for work
if preparatory techniques don’t work, what is the next approach to use and examples of that
compensatory approach
- ex: external support via bracing, orthotics, splints for stability, improved function and joint protection
what is hypertonicity
inc resistance to passive stretch
-> difficult to move limb and elongate ms
what are 2 conditions that you see hypertonicity in
UMNLs
basal ganglia disorders
- ie Parkinsons
what is hypertonicity associated with
inc stretch reflex and hyper-reflexia DTRs
how does hypertonicity impact ms
preserves ms bulk (dont see much atrophy)
-> still can have underlying weakness
what are examples of hypertonicity (3)
rigidity
spasticity
clonus
when do you want to minimize hypertonicity
if it interferes w function, causes pain, positioning problems, hygiene issues (maladaptive)
when do you NOT want to minimize hypertonicity
if supports posture and improves balance, mobility (adaptive)
-> may rely on passive tension to help w posture and transfers