To determine whether the muscle tone is normal or not, the examiner can flex and extend his/her limbs, perceive the resistance of the limbs during passive flexion and extension, and touch the hardness of the muscles.
Myotonia refers to the degree of muscle tension at rest and the resistance produced by passive movement, which is in essence a kind of tension reflex controlled by the reflex center. The examination of myotonia is of great significance in the diagnosis of neurological disorders, and can assist in determining whether the lesion is located in the upper motor neuron or the lower motor neuron.
Clinical examination of muscle tone, the first need to ask the patient to relax the limb muscles, the examiner touches the hardness of the muscles with his hands, and flexion and extension of the patient’s limbs, to sense the size of the resistance generated by its passive flexion and extension, accordingly to determine whether the muscle tone is normal.
Increased muscle tone can be seen in upper motor neuron injury, while decreased muscle tone is mainly seen in lower motor neuron injury, myogenic lesions and spinal shock.
When abnormal muscle tone occurs, it is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible for a clear diagnosis and appropriate treatment to avoid delaying the condition.