Abnormal posturing
Key points
- 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.
- Abnormal posturing is a sign of serious central nervous system damage.
- Home Care Most conditions associated with abnormal posturing require hospital treatment.
- Abnormal posturing often accompanies reduced consciousness.
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.
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:
- Decerebrate posture
- Decorticate posture
- Opisthotonos
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.
Common Causes
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Injury to nerves
- Reye's syndrome
- Severe Head injury
- Uncal herniation, transtentorial herniation
- Cerebral edema
Home Care
Most conditions associated with abnormal posturing require hospital treatment.
Call your health care provider if
Abnormal posturing often accompanies reduced consciousness. Anyone exhibiting these behaviors should be examined promptly by the health care provider.
Note: In some conditions such as prolonged coma, these behaviors can persist for an extended period of time.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
Emergency measures may be started immediately, including placement of an artificial airway (breathing tube) and assistance with breathing. The person will likely be hospitalized and in intensive care.
The medical history will be obtained from family members and a physical examination will be performed.
Medical history questions documenting abnormal posturing in detail may include:
Frequently asked questions
What is abnormal posturing?
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.
What causes abnormal posturing?
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Injury to nerves
- Reye's syndrome
- Severe Head injury
- Uncal herniation, transtentorial herniation
- Cerebral edema Home Care Most conditions associated with abnormal posturing require hospital treatment.
How is abnormal posturing diagnosed?
- Head X-ray
- Head CT scan
- Cerebral Angiography
- EEG
- Brain scan
- ICP monitoring (monitoring of the pressure inside the brain) After seeing your health care provider: You may want to add a diagnosis related to abnormal posturing to your personal medical record.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.