Supplementary Motor Area Syndrome and Flexor Synergy of the Lower Extremities

• Published in: Annals of rehabilitation medicine Vol. 37; no. 5; pp. 735 - 739
• Main Authors: Ryu, Ju Seok, Chun, Min Ho, You, Dae Sang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 01.10.2013; 대한재활의학회
• Subjects: Case Report; 재활의학; Brain neoplasms; Synergy; Gait; Motor cortex
• ISSN: 2234-0645; 2234-0653
• DOI: 10.5535/arm.2013.37.5.735

Clinical presentation of supplementary motor area (SMA) syndrome includes complete akinesia of the contralateral side of the body and mutism, with secondary recovery of neurologic deficit. Multi-joint coordination is frequently impaired following the development of a brain lesion and is generally restricted by abnormal patterns of muscle activation within the hemiparetic limb, clinically termed muscle synergies. However, no work to date has confirmed this observation with the aid of objective methods, such as gait analysis, and the development of reflex pattern has not been suggested as a possible cause. We describe two unusual cases of flexor synergy after tumor resection of SMA lesions.