Why Do Individuals with SMA Have Difficulty with Neck Support?

The muscles of the neck, upper back, shoulders, and trunk all help hold the head upright, and when those muscles are weak or easily fatigued, keeping the head in a stable position can become difficult. SMA affects motor nerves in the spinal cord and can impact muscles used for breathing, crawling, walking, head and neck control, and swallowing.

Difficulty with neck support in Spinal Muscular Atrophy can happen for several reasons, including muscle weakness, fatigue, posture changes, scoliosis, seating position, and reduced endurance. Some individuals may have trouble holding their head up for long periods, turning their head, keeping their chin positioned safely, or maintaining balance while sitting. SMA is a progressive muscle weakness, and atrophy is caused by degeneration and loss of lower motor neurons, and for some individuals with severe early-onset SMA may have only limited head control. SMA weakness tends to be more severe in proximal muscles near the center of the body, and limited head control can appear in early SMA symptoms.

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