Hypertonia is a condition in which there is too much muscle tone. It is caused by upper motor neuron lesions which may result from injury, disease, or conditions that involve damage to the central nervous system. Muscle tone is controlled by signals that travel from the brain to the nerves and tell the muscle to contract. Hypertonia happens when the regions of the brain or spinal cord that control these signals are damaged .
Babies with hypertonia appear stiff and have trouble moving their muscles. An injury or condition that affects the function of the central nervous system causes hypertonia.
Here's an example: A person with hypertonia may have difficulty moving their limbs or may experience muscle stiffness .
