=Myoclonia= is a sudden contraction of a few muscle fibers, a single
muscle or of a group of muscles. A neurotic tendency, infections and
toxic conditions are factors. Occasionally epilepsy may be associated
with it. Osteopathically there can be but little doubt that the
innervation to the muscles involved is interfered with.
The lower extremities are usually first affected and it may be sudden
or gradual in appearance. It is progressive and slowly involves the
arms and, rarely, the face. Usually the spasms cease during sleep.
=Prognosis= is rather favorable. Examination should show the cause of
the nerve interference and its correction bring relief.
=Dubini’s disease= is probably associated with certain diseases of the
cord and brain and is characterized by sudden, sharp pains in the head,
neck and lumbar muscles, extending to the lower extremities in the form
of a short, sharp spasm, usually at regular intervals. Later there may
be symptoms of hemiplegia. The disease is apt to progress and death may
occur during a convulsion.
=Habit spasm= usually results from overstudy and nerve exhaustion
with impairment of general health, and is incident to early life. The
child is usually a neurotic. The symptoms are twitching of the mouth
and eyelids, grimaces and jerking of the shoulders. =Treatment= for
the general condition, with correction of any spinal lesions, will
generally give relief.
=General tic= resembles habit spasms closely. In some cases the patient
is apparently healthy, while in others there is some brain disorder.
There are coordinate spasmodic movements of the head, face and upper
trunk, swallowing and abnormal vocal sounds. The movements are rapid
and frequently repeated. =Prognosis= is uncertain and will depend
largely on general conditions. In =convulsive tic= there is usually a
repetition of certain words or sounds with a convulsive twitching or
movement of certain muscles.