understanding the child with athetosis
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UNDERSTANDING THE CHILD WITH ATHETOSIS
Robyn SmithDepartment of Physiotherapy
University of Free State2012
Athetoid groupNB!!! Characterised by: •Fluctuating postural/•muscle tone
•Involuntary movements
Do not confuse with ATAXIA = in co-ordinated movements
Athetoid group
Classified according to type of involuntary movement into 4 groups
• Pure athetosis
• Choreoathetosis
• Athetosis with dystonic spasms
• Athetosis with spasticity
A look at muscle tone in the athetoid group
Low tone Normal tone High tone
Pure athetosischoreoathetosisAthetoid with dystonic spasms
Athetoid with spasticity
Etiology
• Kericterus hyperbilirubinaemia (severe jaundice)
• Rh- incompatability• Prematurity • Asphyxia• Metabolic disorders• Encephalitis/ meningitis• Heavy metal poisoning• Rheumatic fever• Degenerative disorders brain
Management of jaundice
Etiology
NB!!!!! = damage to the basal ganglia
Basal ganglia are NB for:• Control of movement• Scale and amplitude determination of
movement• Important in the control of eye movements
Characteristics• High IQ –cortex not involved
However usually severely disabledEmotionally volatileOften frustrated –temper tantrums
• Lack of proximal stabilityPoor grading movementPoor balance
• Muscle contractures usually not a concernDue to constantly changing muscle tone and
movementRepetitive asymmetrical movement patterns may
lead to deformities
Characteristics
• Muscle tone fluctuates constantly– Inconsistent motor responses, child unsure of
outcome of an action
• General underlying hypotoniaLigament laxity Hypermobile
Athetoid
• Most are wheelchair bound• Need lap and/or cross straps in the case of
dystonic spasms to prevent the spasm from throwing them out of chair
• Adequate trunk and foot support is critical to their stability
Seating : Shona Madiba buggy
• Custom made to fit patient and meet specific support needs
• Cost extremely expensive R 8000
Associated problems
Speech & hearing
• Vocalisation & speech problem –speech poor and indistinct
• Often hearing loss • Can hear but does
not listen due constant movement head
Feeding
• Difficulty in swallowing due to muscle incoordination
• Battle especially with liquids and runny consistencies
• Extreme difficulty in feeding safely
Associated problemsVision• Battle to focus• May have nystagmus
= rapid, rhythmic, involuntary eye movements caused by damage brain
• Eyes unable move independently head
• Lack of stability of head affects vision
Development
• Fluctuating tone present sometimes birth
• Initially seem hypotonic• Develop extension
pattern head, neck, retraction shoulders
• Persistent ATNR• Due to involuntary
movements fail to develop adequate head and trunk control
Athetoid very intelligent and quickly learn to use pathological reflexes for function !!!!
Habitual patterns
Development
Prone
• ATNR get up on one arm
• TLR and STNR to get into M-sitting
Sitting
• Like to M-sit as is stable position
• Uses ATNR for hand function
• Chair –stabilises using arm around backrest or hooks foot around leg chair
• Promotes further asymmetry resulting postural deformity
Development
Gait
• Struggle to learn to walk due to fluctuating tone, poor central control and involuntary movement
• Asymmetry may be noted• Lumbar lordosis and anterior tilt due
to poor central control• Knees locked together for stability• Arm held together or against leg for
stability• Often appears in-coordinated
Treatment Principles
References
• Brown, E. 2001. NDT basic course material (unpublished)
• Smith, R. 2009. Paediatric dictate, UFS (unpublished)
• Smith, R. 2008. role of physiotherapy in vestibular rehabilitation, PowerPoint presentation
• Images courtesy of Google images (2009)
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