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| Definition: | Abnormal posturing is the tendency to assume a particular body position, or to move or hold one or more parts of the body in a particular way. Certain abnormal posturing behaviors can indicate specific injuries to the nervous system.
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| Considerations: | Abnormal posturing is a sign of serious central nervous system damage.
Normally, when a muscle contracts, the muscles on the opposite side of the joint provide some resistance to contraction. Abnormal posturing occurs when damage to the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord) results in complete or partial lack of opposition to muscle contraction in various muscle groups.
See the following types of abnormal postures:An affected person may alternate between different postures as the condition fluctuates.
Injury or inflammation of a portion of the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system is the most common cause of abnormal posturing. The particular type of posturing can reflect the type and area of nervous system involvement.
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Review Date: 7/27/2001
Reviewed By: Galit Kleiner-Fisman MD, FRCP(C), Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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