Morphofunctional and therapeutic aspects of facial and ocular motor synkinesia
https://doi.org/10.17021/2712-8164-2025-2-16-27
Abstract
Peripheral synkinesis is involuntary muscle contractions during voluntary movements. Most often, they occur in the craniofacial region after damage to the facial or oculomotor nerves (III, IV, VI, VII pairs of cranial nerves) and significantly worsen the quality of life of patients. Analysis of modern literature (67 publications for 2020–2025) shows that their key mechanism is aberrant axonal regeneration, supplemented by ephaptic transmission, hyperexcitability of brainstem nuclei and cortical reorganization. The uniqueness of these synkinesis is due to several anatomical and physiological factors: strong branching and short length of the affected nerves, resistance of extraocular and facial muscles to denervation and the presence of alternative sources of proprioception. Trigger points, being an early marker of denervation in facial palsy, increase hyperexcitability of the nuclei of the brainstem and require mandatory inactivation. It is important to note that true contractures of the facial muscles are absent; tonic forms of synkinesis or myokymia are mistaken for them. Cicatricial and fatty degeneration are characteristic only of congenital defects of the innervation of the eye muscles. The use of peripheral synkinesis in kinesitherapy methods for the rehabilitation of peripheral paresis of the craniofacial muscles is not pathogenetically justified.
About the Authors
K. B. Petrov
Novokuznetsk State Institute of Further Training of Physicians, Novokuznetsk, Russia
Россия
Россия
Konstantin B. Petrov, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Head of the Department
O. O. Evdokimova
Novokuznetsk State Institute of Further Training of Physicians, Novokuznetsk, Russia
Россия
Россия
Oksana O. Evdokimova, Assistant
N. V. Popova
Novokuznetsk State Institute of Further Training of Physicians, Novokuznetsk, Russia
Россия
Россия
Natalia V. Popova, Assistant
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Petrov K.B., Evdokimova O.O., Popova N.V. Morphofunctional and therapeutic aspects of facial and ocular motor synkinesia. Title. 2025;6(2):16-27. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17021/2712-8164-2025-2-16-27
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