Hypertonia: of which diseases can it be an important symptom?

By Cristiano Antonino Last updated May 21, 2023

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Hypertonia, also called muscular hypertonia or muscle hypertonus, indicates an increase in muscle tone. It can occur both when the muscle is at rest and during physical activity

This condition can also affect a specific muscle or anatomical area or be generalised to the entire body.

If hypertonia is pronounced, it is also called spasticity.

Hypertonia: what is it?

The term hypertonia is often used as a synonym for muscular hypersthenia.

In reality, these are two different things.

Hypersthenia in fact indicates an increase in muscle strength and may be accompanied by muscle hypertonus.

There are various types of hypertonia:

Pyramidal muscular hypertonia: occurs when there is a lesion of the pyramidal pathway, i.e. the bundle of nerve fibres linked to the control of voluntary movements. This condition is present in numerous diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), syringomyelia and various spinal cord diseases. Hypertonia generally affects the extensor muscles of the lower limbs and the flexor muscles of the upper limbs.
Extrapyramidal muscle hypertonia: this is caused by damage to the extrapyramidal system, i.e. the motor nerve pathway that regulates muscle tone and body posture. This problem usually occurs in patients with Parkinson’s disease and affects the extensor and flexor muscles.

Hypertonia: the causes

Hypertonia is usually linked to other diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral stroke, spinal cord tumours and Chagas disease, of which it is a common symptom.

It can also occur in cases of infantile cerebral palsy, pellagra, poliomyelitis, serotonergic syndrome, syringomyelia and in cases of hereditary genetic diseases, e.g. Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18).

Hypertonia: the symptoms

Hypertonia is characterised by an increase in muscle tone that can be easily noticed on objective test.

There is usually a stiffening that makes passive stretching of the muscles difficult.

The disorder is also associated with other clinical signs such as decreased muscle strength, poor resistance to exertion, easy fatigability, pain in the neck, chest, back or lumbar area, memory and concentration difficulties, urinary, sexual or bowel disorders.

More generally, hypertonia is accompanied by a general malaise, with loss of reflexes, motor difficulties and soreness.

Hypertonia: the diagnosis

Hypertonia is a symptom associated with numerous pathologies, which is why it is important to consult a doctor to carry out a correct anamnesis.

The doctor will then perform a series of tests to rule out the various pathologies that are linked to muscular hypertonia.

Laboratory tests, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, X-rays, myelography, postural tests, vestibular tests, electromyography and electroencephalography are usually prescribed to diagnose this problem, depending on the requirements of one’s treating doctor.

Once the cause of the hypertonia has been identified, specific treatment can be carried out.

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