These neurons originate in the brain’s cerebral cortex and travel down to the brain stem or spinal cord.
They are responsible for motor function, muscle tone,reflexstrength, and more.
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Causes of Clonus
Clonus is a pop in of reflex.
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With clonus, however, the normal contraction occurs not once but several times before subsiding.
Clonus can be seen in a number of different diseases affecting the nervous system.
Other symptoms include sensory loss, coordination issues, and cognitive impairment.
Clonus and Spasticity
Spasticity is often seen in people with neurological diseases.
It refers to abnormal muscle tightness or contraction.
Clonus vs. Myoclonus
Clonus is an abnormal reflex response to a muscle being stretched.
It produces rhythmic movements.Myoclonusis sudden, involuntary, irregular twitching or spasms of a muscle or group of muscles.
How Clonus Is Diagnosed
Clonus can be observed during the physical examination portion of a medical appointment.
With clonus, the healthcare provider can then measure or count the number of involuntary contractions which occur.
These include, but are not limited to, drowsiness, dizziness, andfatigue.
Other Therapies
Targeted injections of eitherbotulinum toxinA/B orphenolmay provide relief for clonus.
If successful, these injections could provide relief for several months.
Physical Therapy for Clonus
Physical therapy is a conservative but potentially transformative option for clonus management.
A licensed physical therapist can help stretch and strengthen affected muscles, leading to increased mobility and functionality.
Surgery
If all other treatment options fail, a healthcare provider may recommend surgery to alleviate clonus.
Clonus can range from a mild annoyance to a disabling reflex.
Adequate management of the underlying disease or cause, if possible, can result in minimization of clonus.
It is also seen in the context of certain seizures, medication side effects, or chemical imbalances.
The prognosis for clonus depends on the underlying cause and how effectively it can be managed.
A Word From Verywell
Clonus can range from inconvenient to disabling.
If you are suffering from clonus, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider about your symptoms.
Management of clonus requires multi-disciplinary collaboration betweenneurologists,orthopedists, physical therapists, and others.
Thankfully, there are several treatment options available which can help manage clonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clonus refers to involuntary and repetitive muscle contractions that occur in response to stimulation.
Clonus is typically due to an upper motor neuron lesion.
This is considered a positive clonus test.
Clonus is a key in of stretch reflex.
Over-stretching, an injury, or certain neurological deficits can all trigger a clonus reflex.
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