Fixed Dystonia in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Author Information
Author(s): Munts Alexander G, Mugge Winfred, Meurs Thomas S, Schouten Alfred C, Marinus Johan, Moseley G Lorimer, van der Helm Frans CT, van Hilten Jacobus J
Primary Institution: Leiden University Medical Center
Hypothesis
Fixed dystonia may result from aberrant proprioceptive reflex strengths of position, velocity or force feedback.
Conclusion
Aberrant force feedback regulation from Golgi tendon organs may underpin the typical fixed flexion postures in CRPS patients with dystonia.
Supporting Evidence
- Fixed dystonia was present in 123 arms and 114 legs of the patients studied.
- The dominant pattern of fixed dystonia involved flexion of the fingers and toes.
- Computer simulations showed that only imbalanced reflex sensitivity to muscle force closely resembled observed patient characteristics.
Takeaway
This study looked at patients with a condition that causes pain and abnormal postures in their limbs, finding that the way their muscles respond to movement might be messed up.
Methodology
The study characterized dystonia patterns in 85 CRPS patients and used a neuromuscular model to simulate proprioceptive reflex disruptions.
Limitations
The study may not account for all factors influencing dystonia, and the sample was limited to patients with CRPS type I.
Participant Demographics
Mean age was 41.3 years, with 94.1% female participants.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website