9. Rigidity and Stiffness: The Restrictive Signs of Juvenile Huntington’s Disease
A child diagnosed with JHD often encounters physical impediments, one of which is an increased degree of rigidity and stiffness. This symptom is linked to muscle tone, which refers to the tension in your muscles when they’re at rest. In the context of JHD, the child’s muscles may exhibit hypertonia, where the muscle tone is abnormally high.
This heightened muscle tone is mainly a result of the degenerative impact of the huntingtin protein on the brain’s motor areas. The rigid and stiff muscles make everyday movements, which most of us take for granted, incredibly challenging for children battling JHD. Actions like walking, writing, or even holding a utensil become a strenuous task.
However, this physical symptom doesn’t merely affect the child’s motor skills. It can also cause discomfort or even pain, further reducing the child’s quality of life. It’s not uncommon for these children to develop an unusual posture or even contractures, where the joints become permanently bent.(9)
