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Distal weakness is most likely secondary to neuropathy, and is often associated with loss of deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) either with or without sensory abnormalities. In contrast, increased DTRs or extensor plantor responses raise the concern for “central” causes of... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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Proximal weakness is usually due to dysfunction of the lower motor unit; that is, anterior horn cells in the spinal cord, neuromuscular junction (NMJ), or the muscle itself. The neurologic examination, EMG, and nerve conduction studies, and finally the muscle... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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... Flaccid muscles are profoundly weak and soft, with decreased resistance to movement, increased mobility, and a greater than normal range of motion (ROM). The result of disrupted muscle innervation, flaccidity can be localized to a limb or muscle group or generalized over the entire body.... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers
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... Muscle weakness is detected by observing and measuring the strength of an individual muscle or muscle group. It can result from a malfunction in the cerebral hemispheres, brain stem, spinal cord, nerve roots, peripheral nerves, or myoneural... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... Muscle spasms are strong, painful contractions. They can occur in virtually any muscle, but are most common in the calf and foot. Muscle spasms typically occur from simple muscle fatigue, after exercise, and during pregnancy. However, they may also develop in electrolyte... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers
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... Detected by palpation, abdominal rigidity refers to abnormal muscle tension or inflexibility of the abdomen. Rigidity may be voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary rigidity reflects the patient’s fear or nervousness upon palpation; involuntary rigidity... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... Spasticity is a state of excessive muscle tone manifested by increased resistance to stretching and heightened reflexes. It’s commonly detected by evaluating a muscle’s response to passive movement; a spastic muscle offers more resistance when the passive movement is performed... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... When breathing requires extra effort, the accessory muscles — the sternocleidomastoid, scalene, pectoralis major, trapezius, internal intercostals, and abdominal muscles — stabilize the thorax during respiration. Some accessory muscle use normally takes... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... Muscle atrophy results from denervation or prolonged muscle disuse. When deprived of regular exercise, muscle fibers lose bulk and length, producing a visible loss of muscle size and contour and apparent emaciation or deformity in the affected area. Even slight atrophy usually causes some... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... Acute or Subacute*
Electrolyte abnormality
Hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia
Hypercalcemia
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... Flaccid muscles are profoundly weak and soft, with decreased resistance to movement, increased mobility, and greater than normal range of motion. The result of disrupted muscle innervation, flaccidity can be localized to a limb or muscle group or... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers
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... Muscle weakness is detected by observing and measuring the strength of an individual muscle or muscle group. It can result from a malfunction in the cerebral hemispheres, brain stem, spinal cord, nerve roots, peripheral nerves, or myoneural junctions and within the muscle itself.... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... Muscle spasms are strong, painful contractions. They can occur in virtually any muscle but are most common in the calf and foot. Muscle spasms typically occur from simple muscle fatigue, after exercise, and during pregnancy. However, they may also develop in electrolyte... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers
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... Detected by palpation, abdominal rigidity refers to abnormal muscle tension or inflexibility of the abdomen. Rigidity may be voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary rigidity reflects the patient’s fear or nervousness upon palpation; involuntary rigidity... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Pictures
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... Spasticity is a state of excessive muscle tone manifested by increased resistance to stretching and heightened reflexes. It’s commonly detected by evaluating a muscle’s response to passive movement; a spastic muscle offers more resistance when the... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... When breathing requires extra effort, the accessory muscles—the sternocleidomastoid, scalene, pectoralis major, trapezius, internal intercostals, and abdominal muscles—stabilize the thorax during respiration. Some accessory muscle use normally takes place... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
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... Muscle atrophy results from denervation or prolonged muscle disuse. When deprived of regular exercise, muscle fibers lose both bulk and length, producing a visible loss of muscle size and contour and apparent emaciation or deformity in the affected... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... Differential Overview
❑ Ordinary muscle cramp
❑ Overuse
❑ Dehydration
❑ Drugs/toxins
❑ ... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings
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... Muscle spasms are strong, painful contractions. They can occur in virtually any muscle but are most common in the calf and foot. Muscle spasms typically occur from simple muscle fatigue, after exercise, and during pregnancy. However, they may also develop in electrolyte imbalances... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching
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... Muscle weakness is detected by observing and measuring the strength of an individual muscle or muscle group. It can result from a malfunction in the cerebral hemispheres, brain stem, spinal cord, nerve roots, peripheral nerves, or myoneural junctions and within the... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
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... When breathing requires extra effort, the accessory muscles — the sternocleidomastoid, scalene, pectoralis major, trapezius, internal intercostal, and abdominal muscles — stabilize the thorax during respiration. Some accessory muscle use normally... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
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... Muscle spasms, or muscle cramps, are strong, painful contractions. They can occur in virtually any muscle but are most common in the calf and foot. Muscle spasms typically occur from simple muscle fatigue, after exercise, and during pregnancy. However,... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
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... Spasticity is a state of excessive muscle tone manifested by increased resistance to stretching and heightened reflexes. Also known as muscle hypertonicity, it’s commonly detected by evaluating a muscle’s response to passive... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
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... Flaccid muscles are profoundly weak and soft, with decreased resistance to movement, increased mobility, and a greater than normal range of motion (ROM). The result of disrupted muscle innervation, flaccidity can be localized to a limb or muscle group or... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Muscle weakness is detected by observing and measuring the strength of an individual muscle or muscle group. It can result from a malfunction in the cerebral hemispheres, brain stem, spinal cord, nerve roots, peripheral nerves, or myoneural... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
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... Muscle spasms are strong, painful contractions of the muscles. They can occur in virtually any muscle, but are most common in the calf and foot. Muscle spasms typically occur from simple muscle fatigue, after exercise, and during pregnancy. However,... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching
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... Detected by palpation, abdominal rigidity refers to abnormal muscle tension or inflexibility of the abdomen. Rigidity may be voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary rigidity reflects the patient's fear or nervousness upon palpation; involuntary rigidity reflects potentially... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
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... Spasticity is a state of excessive muscle tone manifested by increased resistance to stretching and heightened reflexes. It's commonly detected by evaluating a muscle's response to passive movement; a spastic muscle offers more resistance when the passive movement is performed... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... When breathing requires extra effort, the accessory muscles—the sternocleidomastoid, scalene, pectoralis major, trapezius, internal intercostals, and abdominal muscles—stabilize the thorax during respiration. Some accessory muscle use normally takes place during such activities... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Muscle atrophy results from denervation or prolonged muscle disuse. When deprived of regular exercise, muscle fibers lose bulk and length, producing a visible loss of muscle size and contour and apparent emaciation or deformity in the affected area. Even slight... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
In the aftermath of a stroke, many people experience an uncontrollable tightness in the arms or legs that can cause pain and restrict movement. These...
Many seniors are now enjoying the ancient Chinese martial art of tai chi, a low-intensity exercise that combines slow, fluid body movements with...
Are you lifting too much weight when you work out? Are you doing enough reps, at the right speed? Weight training is a subtle skill and the more you...
Germs are a fact of life and catching an infectious disease like a cold may seem inevitable. But there are simple ways to protect yourself against...